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Astronomy Gifts

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Astronomy

If the Internet has as many astronomy resources as there are stars in the sky, then think of this Web guide as your map to the best and brightest. Whether you are looking for planetary data, celestial gifts, or fellow star seekers, we'll help you navigate the heavenly sphere of astronomy-related sites and tools on the Web.

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Historical and Modern Astronomy

Astronomy is one of the oldest, most popular branches of science. Unlike practitioners of medicine... read more»

Astronomy Pictures

Images from outer space are among the most popular scientific artifacts today, capturing the... read more»

Buying Telescopes, Binoculars, and Cameras

Buying the right stargazing tools can be daunting, even for seasoned experts. Telescopes,... read more»

Finding Constellations, Planets and Objects in the Night Sky

So, you've bought your telescope, done a little research, and are on your way to a star party with... read more»

Astronomy Clubs and Associations

The mantra of believers in extraterrestrial life rings true about astronomy buffs the world over:... read more»

Astronomy News

Developments in astronomy happen at the speed of light. While scientists scramble to make sense of... read more»

Volunteers and Careers in Astronomy

In 1995, the comet Hale-Bopp was concurrently discovered by two men: Alan Hale, a Ph.D.-holding... read more»

Astronomy Gifts

For years, friends and family of astronomy buffs were limited to museum emporia and shopping mall novelty stores for celestial gift ideas. Thanks to the Internet, a great deal of merchandise from space is just a click away.

Dulcinea's Insight

  • Astronomers at all levels tend to be very picky about their stargazing equipment: telescopes, cameras, etc. Make sure you do some research before buying them any sky-watching tools.
  • Mega marketplaces like eBay and Amazon are good places to find astronomy books, DVDs, and other media. Keep in mind whether your astronomy buff has a preference for "theoretical" (i.e., astrophysics) or "observational" (i.e., stargazing) astronomy. For the latter, a sky atlas might be a better choice than a NOVA documentary.
  • Most observatories and museums have gift shops on their Web sites, but the merchandise is nearly always overpriced. As a general rule, only browse here to get ideas, but make your purchase elsewhere.

Dulcinea's Picks

Café Press offers more than 7,000 astronomy designs that can be put on shirts, clocks, mouse pads, and other assorted sundry on this user-friendly site with a great customer service reputation. Looking for a coffee mug with a corny astronomy joke on it? This is the place.
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Starry Night is widely considered among the best planetarium software around and offers a wider variety of programs than other manufacturers. Each program is slightly different––from kids to professionals––so pick the one that's right for you. These make excellent gifts for people who have equally strong passions for astronomy and computers.
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MWT Associates is a vendor of global astronomy tours. Travel packages typically include travel fare, lodging, and informational lectures from professional astronomers and academics. Trips are expensive, but the brochures and attendant daydreaming are free.
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The International Star Registry lets you name your very own star––sort of. The names are not recognized by any scientific body, but you do get a spiffy certificate and map to find "your star." Other registries exist, but these folks are the oldest and biggest. There is some disdain for these "unscientific" registries among hardcore astronomers, so the gift is probably best reserved for someone who will appreciate the sentiment.
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Starry Night Lights is nominally a retailer of lighting that helps reduce light pollution and preserve the clarity of the night sky. Most of the products are not cheap, and the majority of "Indoor Lighting" products don't have any apparent night sky-friendly function. It's best used as a place to get ideas for responsible outdoor lighting that you'll probably find cheaper at your local hardware or home furnishing store.
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