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The astronomy or space fanatic in your life probably already has a telescope and the necessary accoutrements, but maybe you want to augment their passion for the stars with a special gift that says “Yeah, you’re not so bad.” So, what do you do when you want something unique that will bring the stars to their eyes? Read on, that’s what. We’ve compiled a list of the best gift ideas for astronomy and space lovers to give your special someone for birthdays, holidays, bat mitzvahs, or ship christening ceremonies, and we’ve ordered them from most expensive to least expensive for your perusing pleasure.
Bring the planetarium home with this little Death Star-shaped projector. It showcases a mesmerizing 60,000 stars and has a plethora of optional discs to purchase. The ultimate gift for space lovers!
Related Read: How Do Projectors Work? Everything You Need to Know
Now your loved one can prove all their fancy fish stories about the stars by snapping high-def photos. This digital eyepiece mounts right to a telescope eyepiece for stunning images. It’s the perfect addition to any astronomer’s repertoire of implements.
Now people can use their scopes with augmented vision. This 14-piece kit will enhance magnification power or filter light for optimal planet viewing. The astronomer in your life will bounce with glee over this one.
This colorful set of nebula knives isn’t just pretty to behold, it’s a veritable arsenal for the kitchen-crazed space enthusiast in your life. They’re razor-sharp, non-stick, dishwasher safe, and look lovely while they’re hacking things to bits.
Sorry, but we have to say it. This is the gift that keeps on giving. Okay, it’s said. Now you can stop rolling your eyes, sit back, and contemplate the idea of a one-year subscription to Astronomy magazine. They’ll love you to pieces for it.
Now the space lover in your life can never truly lose their marbles. This beautiful eight-planet set of gemstones is sure to make them sparkle. It includes a walnut stand and color brochures about the planets.
Eat cake in style with this classy set of 10” melamine dinner plates featuring your favorite solar system’s eight planets. (Sorry, Pluto, you’ve been demoted. No plate for you.)
These small metal models make most meticulous people mad (only because the pieces are so tiny). But with a little patience, the finished product is an awesome-sauce addition to any desktop or coffee table.
This is a beautiful canvas replica of the original “Starry Night” painting by one-eared wonder Vincent Van Gogh. Now your astronomy enthusiast can enjoy the night in oil swirls, too. The painting comes in various sizes to fit any space.
Step aside, gents! It’s the ladies’ time to shine. This specialized set piece from LEGO is a nice way for any woman to take pride in astronomy. It includes figures of Nancy Grace Roman, Margaret Hamilton, Sally Ride, and Mae Jemison, along with three set pieces to build.
This enchanting desktop conversation starter fits in the palm of your hand. It’s a nice gift for any space enthusiast, although holding an entire solar system in one’s hand may spark a bit of a god complex.
It’s Game of Thrones in space! If your loved one is into space, they probably love science fiction, too. Okay, maybe that’s a stereotype. But they do, right? This epic series by James S. A. Corey will titillate and captivate, and this box set will start them off with the first three books in the long series.
World-renowned genius Stephen Hawking has sold over nine million copies of this book. It is widely regarded as the gold standard of astrophysics. It includes illustrations, satellite images, photographs from Hubble, and more. This book will give your loved one a nosebleed, in a good way.
This stunning four-piece set of canvases will bring any wall to life. It’s sure to solidify the owner’s geek status for life. It comes in 12×12 or 16×16 prints.
Nothing’s cooler than a glow-in-the-dark poster of the stars fastened right above the bed. It’s like camping without the bugs, the cold, the hard ground, the snarling predators, the cold breakfast, and… okay, it’s nothing like camping, but it’s a great poster.
This comfy and brightly colored hoodie is perfect for throwing on during chilly stargazing nights. Plus, it looks like an exploding nebula, so what’s not to love?
On April 10th, 2019, scientists captured the first-ever photograph of a black hole. Then they slapped it on a T-shirt. That’s right, you can now wear this energy-sucking mass with pride. It doesn’t get any more awesome than that.
This stunning and intellectual series by big-brained astrophysics superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson is a modern take on the original series by one of Neil’s heroes, Carl Sagan. It’s a combination of history, technology, and wonder, all packed in one handy Blu-Ray set. The ultimate space gift.
We can hear it now. “Hey,” people will say when they see a guy rocking this cosmic blue tie, “you’re looking stellar.” And he will be, thanks to you.
Maybe the pain of Pluto losing its planet status is still too close and personal, or maybe this subtle homage will remind us all how great little Pluto had it for a while. It’s available in multiple sizes and colors. Buy it here.
For beginners and seasoned hobbyists alike, Nat Geo’s comprehensive guide to the stars may just go down in history as the astronomer’s bible. It’s filled with photographs, facts, tips, maps, and more, so there’s something for everyone within its hallowed pages.
This gorgeous homage to the Voyager space craft will teach people a thing or two about the myriad discoveries NASA has made. This is an inspiring and fascinating documentary that’s sure to keep them from dozing off.
If someone likes to get nerdy about space, astronauts, or planets, this film will keep them slack-jawed and wide-eyed for a couple of hours. Author Andy Weir spared no meticulous scientific detail in crafting this homage to settling the red planet. They’ll love it.
This mug will make space lovers go “Squee!” The word “Nerd” inscribed across the NASA logo is sure to be a hit. It’s 11 ounces, and dishwasher and microwave safe.
What’s better than a cup of afternoon tea? A cup of tea brewed in a miniature space capsule, that’s what. It even includes a tiny astronaut dangling on the chain. Stocking stuffer?
See also our other gift guides:
This is only a start. Our universe is a big place, and it has no shortage of cool astronomy gifts, gear, and novelties for the space enthusiast in your life. We hope our guide has helped you find the perfect gift or has at least given you some great ideas about where to begin your search.
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Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
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