Astronomy brings people together. No matter our differences, we can connect over the magic and mystery of outer space. That’s why astronomy-themed gifts are a great way to share the passion, beauty, and joy of space exploration with friends and family.
If you know someone who can’t get their heads out of the stars and planets, check out our hand-curated space gift guide from MyScienceShop.com, the online store of Astronomy magazine.
Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift, a graduation present or a token of appreciation, this collection of unique astronomy gifts is sure to please. From posters, to clothing, to educational globes, and more – here are the best space and astronomy gifts you need to bring the cosmos into someone’s life.
1. The Space & Beyond Box: $49/single box
What would it be like to have an astronomer do your personal shopping? The result would be something like the Space & Beyond Box. This subscription box, curated by the minds at Astronomy magazine, is the ultimate gift for people who love space.
Each Space & Beyond Box is filled with an impressive collection of space swag – including beautifully illustrated posters, globes, gadgets and educational gifts. Every quarter, the Space & Beyond Box focuses on a different theme or topic in astronomy, ideal for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the cosmos and have a little fun while they’re at it.
2. Galactic Tidal Star Streams Print: $15.99
The Galactic Tidal Star Streams art print by Jon Lomberg makes a great space gift for fans of Carl Sagan. Emmy-winning artist Lomberg was the longtime friend and artistic collaborator of Sagan. He worked on the hit TV show Cosmos, a touchstone for a generation of space lovers. Through his artwork, Lomberg brought Sagan’s ideas to life and changed how the public understands our universe.
Lomberg’s scientifically-inspired artwork has been commissioned by NASA and has been on display at institutions like the Smithsonian museum. Any space or science-fiction fan would love to hang a piece by Jon Lomberg — or a budget-friendly art print — in their home.
The recently released print Galactic Tidal Star Streams is a unique gift option because it’s the first and only artwork showing galactic tidal star streams. Observations of tidal star streams in nearby galaxies aid our understanding of how galaxies grow and interact.
Another Lomberg classic to consider: The Encyclopedia Galactica.
3. The Planet Mug: $15.95
Could dark matter — the mysterious substance that holds the universe together — be coffee? It’s a controversial theory, but it sure makes lot of sense at 6 a.m.
If your space geek loves coffee, give them the best gift in the universe: The Planet Mug. Adding hot tea or coffee reveals the secrets of the solar system. Who wouldn’t want to start every morning by going on a galactic adventure?
4. 2020 Deep Space Mysteries Calendar: $12.99
Do space photos fill the person on your gift list with awe and amazement? There’s beauty, mystery, enchantment and drama everywhere you look in the universe. But stunning space images aren’t just eye candy – they also teach us about the final frontier and help us appreciate our place in the cosmos.
The 2020 Deep Space Mysteries Calendar is a practical gift for astronomy fans who dream of exploring the realm beyond our home planet. It’s filled with dramatic images of nebulae, spiral galaxies, planets, star-forming regions, and other mysteries of deep space. Each month in the calendar provides an overview what’s happening in the night sky, written by Astronomy magazine, which makes it an attractive gift for sky gazers, too.
5. Moon Hat: $15.95
It’s not just a phase. Astronomy-inspired clothing will always be cool.
The Moon phase beanie is the perfect combination of fashion and science. It’s a great space-themed gift for both men and women that’s cozy and practical. This beanie will keep them warm as they sky gaze on long winter nights.
Illustrated Instructions are sewn inside the hat to help decode the Moon and its motions. Here’s how it works, roughly: Face toward the Sun, and the hat shows you where the moon will be at different phases. Who doesn’t love a gift that makes them think?
6. Mars Globe: $99.95
Make your loved one’s dream of traveling to the Red Planet come true with a unique Mars gift. Your aspiring Martian can explore the Red Planet’s dusty, jagged exterior without ever leaving home thanks to the Mars Globe.
This injection-molded, 12-inch desktop globe shows 206 features of Mars – including impact craters, mountains, volcanoes, and other lesser-known terrain – in unprecedented detail and rich color. It was developed using maps from the Viking missions and the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft.
This scientifically accurate, attractive showpiece will please even the pickiest space enthusiasts on your gift list.
7. Space Exploration Postcards: $14.99
Do you have a friend or loved one who you’d like to hear from more often? Give them a hint by gifting them a set of 50 outer space postcards. Each postcard features an iconic moment in space history, including notable astronauts, scenes from the Apollo missions and NASA spacecraft.
You’ll want to order a set for yourself, too. Frame and display this collection of postcards together on a wall to create a unique gallery wall.
8. 2020 Observer’s Handbook: $28.95
Shopping for an amateur astronomer or budding back yard observer? This is the best gift to help stargazers take their observing to the next level. The annual Observer’s Handbook is a must-have for advanced, amateur and professional astronomers.
Published by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, it has remained one of the best reference books out there for skygazers in North America since 1907. This skygazing book makes an excellent gift for backyard observers or anyone who enjoys the wonders of the night sky.
Each edition provides detailed information about upcoming astronomical events and breaks down observable phenomenon in easy-to-understand language. With this handbook at their side, your sky gazer will become a better observer.
9. Solar System Wrap Bracelet with Pluto: $30
Outer space jewelry will never go out of style. This solar system bracelet would be a great gift for space lovers who’d like to add some geek chic flair to their jewelry collection.
This cosmic statement piece features the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, the Asteroid Belt, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and even Pluto.
10. Constellation Tote Bag: $14.99
Your sky gazer can’t spend all their time looking at the stars. But they can carry the constellations with them everywhere they go, no matter the time of day, with this constellations tote bag.
Made of recycled cotton, this stellar tote features the famous stars in our sky overlaid with drawings of the mythological characters we’ve seen within them. It’s the perfect gift for sky gazers and backyard observers.
11. Starburst Galaxy: M82 Puzzle: $19.99
Adult coloring books are so 2015. These days, jigsaw puzzles are having something of a moment. Puzzles make great gifts because they’re a fun way to relax, simultaneously encouraging mindfulness and intellectual stimulation.
The space geek in your life will love getting sucked into this 500-piece astronomy puzzle featuring M82, a starburst galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major the Great Bear. Completing the puzzle reveals an image of a galaxy that’s so stunning they’ll want to frame it.
12. Cosmos by Carl Sagan: $17
Cosmos by Carl Sagan was the book of a generation. This timeless classic is the definitive guide to how the universe works. It’s full of Sagan’s thought-provoking insights into the science of astronomy and space exploration. But, it’s also a beautiful reflection on the origin of life and humankind’s place in the cosmos. No science buff’s book collection would be complete without the New York Times bestselling science book, Cosmos by Sagan.
If you’re looking for book gift ideas, Sagan’s powerful and philosophical masterpiece would be a memorable science gift for all ages. This edition of Cosmos features a foreword from Neil DeGrasse Tyson, another prolific voice. Cosmos is the perfect science gift for anyone who’s curious about where we came from and why we’re here – and it’s a great way to introduce younger generations to one of the greatest minds in modern science. There was nothing like it before it was published — and arguably, there’s been nothing quite like it since.
