star chart

Also known as star map, astronomical map, celestial map

map of the night sky

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Commons category: Celestial maps

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A celestial map by the Dutch cartographer Frederik de Wit, 1670 Constellation map 1845

A star chart is a celestial map of the night sky with astronomical objects laid out on a grid system. They are used to identify and locate constellations, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and planets. They have been used for human navigation since time immemorial. Note that a star chart differs from an astronomical catalog, which is a listing or tabulation of astronomical objects for a particular purpose. Tools using a star chart include the astrolabe and planisphere.