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10 Great Gifts for Astronomy Geeks

Plato once said, "Astronomy compels the soul to look upward and leads us from this world to another." Even if you are not someone fascinated with all the physics and technicalities of space, something is compelling about the vastness and beauty of space. Humans have been fascinated with the sky for as long as they've existed, so if you are tired of hunting for gifts, a space-themed gift is a great option. They can all be found on Amazon, so these are very accessible and can be bought right now if you are in a rush.

1) Glow-In-the-Dark Constellation Blanket

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What astronomy geek wouldn't enjoy cuddling with this cozy blanket that glows in the dark? This blanket charges under daylight and bright light from indoor fixtures. After about 15 minutes of concentrated exposure, it will produce a strong luminous glow in the dark. Made of microfiber, this is an extremely comfortable blanket for movie nights and would look great on any bed. The constellation patterns are clear and stand out against the grey color of the fabric. Most importantly, this blanket is machine-washable, which is pretty rare among novelty blankets. It will be easy and convenient to clean and won't shed or fade after washing.

2) Constellation Whiskey Glasses

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Even if your gift recipient doesn't drink alcohol, these constellation whiskey glasses are an ideal gift. They are 10-ounce glasses made of premium glass, which is built to last. Having high-quality glass is important because you don't want to get something that will easily scratch or take damage in the sink or dishwasher. These glasses have a beautiful constellation design on their exterior, which workers etched on using sand etching. The creators based these designs on a map of the northern hemisphere during the summer months with famous constellations like Orion, Aries, and Leo. The etching is quality and will not fade or warp in the dishwasher.

3) 3D Optical Illusion Lamp of the Solar System

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This lamp would be the dream desk decoration for any astronomy geek. It is a three-dimensional piece of glass with a detailed etching of the solar system fixed on top of a lamp. The designers placed the lamp, so it creates a cool three-dimensional effect when someone turns on the light. The owner can change the lamp's color with a button or an IR remote, which makes it easy and convenient to flip the colors across the room. There are also a wide variety of colors available, with 16 different options. The brightness of the lamp is adjustable, and the light can change between flash mode, strobe mode, fade mode, and smooth mode for various effects.

4) Telescope with Phone Attachment

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Night sky photography can produce some seriously stunning images. With this kind of telescope, night sky photography is easier than ever because you can attach your smartphone and capture incredible pictures of celestial objects like the moon. Astronomy geeks everywhere will use this often to watch the night sky and record their observations. This particular telescope has a 70 mm aperture with a 400 mm Altazimuth focal length. Of course, it comes with a tripod, so your gift recipient can start immediately.

5) 3D Space Crystal Ball

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If you are looking for incredible desk displays, this three-dimensional crystal ball features an incredible depiction of a galaxy. At 3.9 inches in width and 4.3 inches in height, this is an excellent gift to get for a loved one, friend, or co-worker that won't take up too much space. The design was made using advanced laser cutting technology, making the picture inside clear and detailed. This crystal orb sits on top of a small base with LED lighting and has 16 different color options to switch the lighting style. The glass is high quality and scratch-resistant.

6) Star Projector

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While this projector doesn't broadcast exact constellations, it does convey the feeling of being in space extremely well with blue nebula clouds and green rotating stars. There are so many stars that it makes the room seem much more vast and mysterious, evoking the feeling you get when you look up at the real night sky. The holographic technology and glass optics used to create this effect are very modern, and it is easy to adjust the rotation motion and brightness.

7) Heat-Changing Solar System Mug

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This mug is one of the coolest space-themed gifts ever because it changes its design based on the temperature of the liquid in it. At first, it just appears to be a simple design of stars and comets shooting across the black sky. However, when any hot liquid gets added, the mug's design begins to shift to reveal the solar system. However, because of the nature of this trick, the mug can only be washed by hand, and it is not safe to put it in the microwave or dishwasher directly.

8) Moon Lamp

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The moon is one of the celestial objects people look at the most. Most nights, it's the thing you can see most clearly. With this lamp, you can bring your moon observations inside as well. It is beautiful in a dark room. It can also switch through 16 different colors, though most people prefer neutral tones for realism. It was built with safe, non-toxic materials and 3D printed.

9) Space Stickers

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Stickers are a great way for someone to personalize various items, like laptops, skateboards, water bottles, and much more. A giant packet of space-themed stickers is an amazing gift for any astronomy geek because they can use them in a variety of clever ways.

10) This Year's Night Sky Almanac

The 2024 Night Sky Almanac by Nicole Mortillaro
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Every year, there is a new Night Sky Almanac. The most recent edition is pictured above, but it is an annual endeavor to provide an up-to-date resource for astronomy geeks. It features spectacular pictures of celestial objects, discusses phenomena like globular clusters, gives night-sky watching tips, and includes maps with moon phases and constellations. The Night Sky Almanac is comprehensive for beginners and experienced enthusiasts and is written so anyone can use it as a resource guide.