Five Star Gift Ideas

A great birthday gift for your mom who loves astronomy and reading would be a telescope paired with a book about space. This gift combination can provide her with ample opportunities to explore the night sky and enhance her knowledge of space.

When it comes to a telescope, considering its features is essential. You can opt for a telescope with a beginner-level aperture of about 70mm-80mm, which is suitable for viewing the moon, stars, and planets. Telescopes with tripods, such as the Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope, are easy to set up and are portable, making them ideal for backyard or camping observing.

In addition to the telescope, you can get her a good book to continue feeding her interest in astronomy. The book “Cosmos" by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan is one of the most iconic astronomy books in the world. It covers a wide range of topics, including the origin of life on Earth, the cosmos, and the formation of galaxies.

Suppose she has already read "Cosmos." In that case, you can gift her the “National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky” by Andrew Fazekas. This book provides an excellent introduction to stargazing, including constellations, meteor showers, and more.

If you want to give her an additional reading option, "The Martian" by Andy Weir, is a great choice, combining her passion for reading with her love of space. It's a science-fiction novel that follows an astronaut stranded on Mars and his efforts to survive until a rescue mission can arrive.

Another gift option could be a virtual stargazing event or a subscription to an astronomy magazine. Many virtual stargazing events let participants view the night sky through a telescope with the guidance of expert astronomers. For a magazine subscription, "Astronomy Magazine" is a great choice, as it contains valuable news, reviews, and expert advice on observing the cosmos.

Whichever gift you pick, remember to include a heartfelt note and to celebrate your mom's love for astronomy and reading.

Or you can get her a star map with the date when she was born.

Alice Dickinson says about Under Lucky Stars star maps:

“I made a map for my mums birthday and she absolutely loved it. Definitely buying another one soon, probably for another family member or friend”