It’s Free

It’s that time of year again, the gift-giving time. If you are in the gift-providing mood but find yourself not so flush with cash, then let me suggest some ideas for the folks on your list (or yourself even) who like to study the skies that won’t cost you a bundle.

First, if your giftee is into computers, then why not download and help them install Stellarium — the fantastic open-source planetarium for the home computer.

It helps create star charts, lets you explore the sky for any date, and comes with a bunch of other neat features. And, best of all, it’s free!

Another cool and free sky chart program is called Cartes du Ciel, and I’ve used it on occasion to create charts for greeting cards and star parties. There are a number of databases you can plug into the program to help you see deep-sky objects, planetary satellites, run eclipse simulations, drive and aim a computerized telescope, zoom in on variable stars, stellar multiples, distant galaxies, and perform many other functions.

Another thing that you could do is download these programs yourself and use them to search out stars that you can show to your family during the holidays. Make it a tradition to go out stargazing on a holiday night (whenever it’s clear).

Perhaps you’ve heard of folks who claim to be able to name a star for you, and further claim that those names are “real” and imply that somehow astronomers will use the name you bought. Not true. Astronomers don’t use names for stars from companies that charge you $50 for a fancy certificate and a photocopy of a copyrighted star chart (which I’ve heard at least one company sells).

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t “nickname” a star for someone you love and admire. You can do that for free.  Just find a star that you can show your loved one, make a chart, and print it up into a nice certificate that is becomes a highly personal gift from you. You can even make up your own fancy card to present them their stellar nickname.

Go over to the Hubble site holiday card page and download one of their designs. Inscribe your card with a beautiful poem about the star you’re nicknaming; make it a personal dedication.

We’ve used these as holiday cards a couple of times now and all it takes is a color printer and a little time to inscribe a nice greeting on the inside.

Now, if you do have a little money in your pocket and want to buy something astronomy-related, then look over at my left sidebar. You’ll find a little MP3 player and links to music from some space music artist who goes by the stage name Geodesium. Take a listen. I happen to know this guy personally, and I know that he’d love to sell you some albums (either through Amazon.com or the link on his name). And, I predict that you’ll love to hear them!

If you want other astronomy-related gifts, check out the Spacewriter’s Store. It’s chock-full of good suggestions and if you haven’t browsed there in a while, I’ve added a few new items. I particularly like the Mars 3-D: A Rover’s-Eye View of the Red Planet book, which I reviewed here a few weeks back. For the little astronomers on your list, the Discovery Exclusive Ultimate Star Childrens Planetarium looks like it could be a lot of fun. There’s plenty more in the store to browse through. So, check it out.