Astronomy

All Sky Map

Monday, August 4, 2025

At just under $20, the All Sky Map is not only a well-crafted product, but a passion project brought to life with care and precision. For new observers, it offers a solid introduction to celestial navigation. For seasoned stargazers, it’s a reliable, low-tech backup when apps or laptops fail.

Sky charts have always been a cornerstone of amateur and professional astronomy. From books like Turn Left at Orion to iconic maps by Wil Tirion, they provide orientation and inspiration under the stars. Continuing in that tradition but innovating for real-world usability, Steve Berardi has released the All Sky Map, a rugged, full-sky reference chart designed to be taken into the field, handled repeatedly, and used without worry under humid or dewy skies.

The All Sky Map is a folded map that covers the entire night sky. It displays all stars down to visual magnitude 6, the complete set of 110 Messier objects, all 88 IAU-recognized constellations, and a variety of the brightest and most iconic deep-sky objects. The map is intentionally comprehensive while maintaining readability, thanks to clean labeling and thoughtful organization.

All Sky Map: A foldable, durable guide to the night sky

What makes this star chart uniquely practical is its durable construction. Printed on waterproof and tear-resistant paper, it’s designed to be thrown in a telescope bag, taken to remote dark sites, and used in the wild without the typical worry about creasing, staining, or tearing. This is the kind of map that doesn’t mind getting a little dew on it during an all-night imaging session.

On one side of the All Sky Map is a large-scale Miller projection showing declinations between -80 and +80 degrees. This projection makes it easy to find any object visible from most places on Earth, without severe distortions at the poles. The large coverage area means the entire celestial sphere, both northern and southern skies, are visible in a single view.

Flip the map over, and you’ll find stereographic projections centered on the North and South celestial poles. These circular insets are particularly useful for polar alignment, circumpolar navigation, and understanding sky movement over time. Close-up inserts also provide higher-detail maps of three dense and highly observed areas: the Virgo Cluster, the Orion Nebula, and the Pleiades star cluster. These zoomed-in regions are perfect for binocular observers and telescope users trying to navigate rich star fields.

The creator of the map, Steve Berardi, brings a rare blend of technical expertise and observational experience. As a software engineer and longtime amateur astronomer, Steve designed the All Sky Map using a Python-based plotting library he built himself called Starplot. This open-source tool is now used by both hobbyists and astrophysicists around the world to generate customized, scientifically accurate star charts.

Berardi’s love for celestial mapping started when he purchased a telescope eyepiece from Explore Scientific and admired the Wil Tirion map printed on the box. That moment sparked a personal journey of collecting atlases, building his own tools, and ultimately creating printed maps like this one. His software, his design sensibilities, and his astronomical knowledge come together in the All Sky Map to create something with broad appeal and technical integrity.

At just 9.25 inches by 4.25 inches when folded, the All Sky Map slips easily into a glovebox, camera bag, or field kit. Unfolded, it spreads to a generous 38.25 inches by 18.5 inches, large enough to consult easily under red light, yet compact enough to use at a small table or tailgate.

Because it is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic paper, the map holds up extremely well to repeated use, damp hands, and outdoor conditions. The coating resists smudges and fingerprints, while the fold lines are reinforced for longevity. This makes the map an excellent choice for star parties, public outreach events, or personal use during observing sessions where electronics might be impractical.

All the plotted objects are referenced to the J2000 epoch, ensuring positional accuracy that’s consistent with modern star catalogs and astronomical software. Star names follow the IAU’s official designations, with the exception of one affectionate nod, “Regor,” the nickname for Gamma Velorum, is included as a minor tribute to its cultural usage.

In addition to showing the stars, Messier objects, and constellations, the map’s labeling choices are carefully made to strike a balance between clutter and utility. Only objects that are bright enough or notable enough to be useful in typical amateur telescopes or binoculars are shown. That way, beginners aren't overwhelmed, and experienced observers still have quick access to the information they need.

The All Sky Map is currently offered in two physical formats: the folded field map, priced affordably at $18.95, and a large-format wall map, suitable for framing or display. While the folded version is the one most geared toward hands-on use, the wall version is crease-free and intended for presentation or educational environments.

For anyone who wants to display the entire celestial sphere in a room, the wall format offers a striking and informative piece of decor. It includes the same content as the folded map, but in a single unfolded sheet, making it easier to study or use in a classroom, home observatory, or astronomy club space.
Berardi’s work on the All Sky Map is part of a broader effort to make astronomical data more accessible and navigable. His open-source Starplot library enables others to create maps with similar projections, datasets, and aesthetics. Whether for research or hobbyist projects, this tool is helping democratize star chart creation.

In parallel, Berardi is also developing Sky Atlas, an interactive digital companion app designed for planning observations, identifying targets, and exploring sky data. While Sky Atlas is still in development, it aims to offer a bridge between printed atlases and the dynamic features of planetarium software.

For observers of all experience levels, this ecosystem means access to static and digital tools that speak the same visual language and share a consistent, science-based foundation.

With seven verified 5-star reviews, the All Sky Map has quickly garnered appreciation for its readability, print quality, and smart layout. Reviewers have called it “super,” “awesome,” “easy to read,” and “definitely worth adding to your collection.” Several users have purchased both the folded and rolled versions, suggesting that the map’s usefulness in the field is matched by its visual appeal at home.

Whether gifted to a budding astronomer, tucked into a telescope bag, or hung beside an eyepiece rack, the All Sky Map is a thoughtful, durable, and functional tribute to the night sky.