Evernight Star

The sky from the moment that mattered.

Every star visible to the naked eye, exactly where it stood over the place at the time. Add your words, choose a design, and watch the piece take shape as you go.

From R449A4, A3 or A2Unframed, matte black or natural woodMade in South Africa, delivery included
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01

Your moment

Time optional

The sky turns through the night, so the time matters if you know it. Without one we draw the sky as it was at nine that evening, and no time is printed.

02

Your place

Time zone

South Africa is UTC+2 all year. For other countries we estimate it from the longitude; set it here if you know better.

03

Your design

Map style
Theme

The moon is drawn where it stood in the sky, with the phase from that night, if it was up. Legends adds the classical constellation figures; Technical adds a bearing ring and a labelled grid.

04

Your words

The place and date are printed beneath the heading. Leave the message blank for a quieter piece.

05

Size

06

Frame

07

Your piece

PieceEvernight Star
Size
Frame
Design
Total, delivery included

Made to order in South Africa. We confirm the details and the dispatch date by email, and take payment by EFT.

True to the sky

Star positions are calculated for your exact coordinates and time from a catalogue of the 5,000 or so stars the naked eye can see. North at the top, east on the left: the sky as it looks when you lie back and look up.

Printed to last

Heavyweight archival matte paper, printed by a South African fine-art printer. Deep blacks on the dark designs and clean, even ivory on the light ones.

Ready to give

Framed pieces arrive glazed and ready to hang. Unframed prints travel flat, protected, with a care card. Delivery anywhere in South Africa is included.

Questions
Do I need to know the exact time?
No. The date alone puts the right stars in the sky. The time decides which of them are up and where, and the whole sky turns by about fifteen degrees every hour, so use it if you know it. If you don't, nine in the evening is a good choice and the sky will be a true one.
How accurate is the map?
The positions are computed from the Hipparcos-derived bright star catalogue for your exact latitude, longitude and time, down to the sixth magnitude. The map is a stereographic projection centred on the point straight overhead, with the horizon as the edge of the circle. Constellation lines follow the usual modern figures.
Can I choose a place outside South Africa?
Yes. Type any town or city and choose "Search everywhere" to find it. For places outside South Africa we estimate the time zone from the longitude; you can set it exactly under the place field if you know it.
How do I pay, and how long does it take?
When you send an order we email you to confirm the piece, the delivery details and the dispatch date, along with our banking details for EFT. Your piece goes into production once payment clears. Each one is printed and framed to order in South Africa and couriered to you; delivery is included in the price.
Where do the constellation figures come from?
The figures in the Legends theme are Johan Meuris's illustrations for the Stellarium planetarium's western sky culture, used under the Free Art License. Each is placed on your sky by three of its own stars, so it sits exactly where the constellation does.
What if I want something the designer does not offer?
Write to [email protected] and tell us what you have in mind. Two places at one moment, a set of birth skies for the children, a memorial piece: several of these are on their way, and we are glad to talk about them now.