“Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. For some, this may be just a childhood tune, one that gets kids thinking about the little twinkling diamonds in the sky. But many of us don’t outgrow this curiosity when we reach adulthood. It’s not uncommon to wonder, what is a star?
To understand this, we tend to look to the closest star to us: our sun. We know that stars can be different colors and are hot balls of burning gas. They give us heat and light, and provide the very essence of life here on earth. Without our sun, life as we know it couldn’t exist.
What you might not realize is that our sun isn’t a “typical” star. It’s actually a dwarf star, meaning it’s smaller and less intense compared to most of the stars in the universe.
So, what is a star? Here’s a closer look at stars and why they matter.
Fun Facts About Stars
To get an idea of what stars really are, let’s look at some fun facts about stars:
Stars are giant balls of gas that form when particle clouds in space start to group together and spin. As they spin, they take on mass, which increases their heat.
It takes millions of years for particle clouds to turn into stars.
Stars are mostly made of hydrogen and helium.
Particle are held together by their own gravity.
The biggest stars exhaust their energy supply within a few million years.
Smaller stars, called dwarf stars, use their energy more efficiently and can last for billions of years.
Our sun is a dwarf star and is believed to be “middle aged.”
In preschool, you were probably taught that a star is a five-point shape, almost as though someone smashed together some triangles. But real stars do not look like this, much like a heart-shaped Valentine’s box of chocolates doesn’t look like the heart inside your body.
Stars are actually ball-shaped, just like our sun. They’re almost perfect spheres, and you can’t really see with the naked eye any flaws. Like planets, stars come in many sizes and temperatures. Its size, however, isn’t always indicative of its temperature.
How Do Stars Form?
If you have a star enthusiast in your life, a custom star map poster makes the perfect gift.
We’ve already touched on this a little bit, but for the sake of more detail, stars form when clouds of particles in space are pushed together and initiate a swirling motion.
In every galaxy, there are millions of stars. In between these stars are clouds of gas and dust. These clouds are like the incubators for new stars to form. The substances in these clouds move in all directions. Imagine a group of children running around on a school playground.
Sometimes, regions start to collect more space dust and molecules than others, so mass is unevenly distributed. If too much starts to collect in a single place, that region will start to collapse from the weight of its own gravity.
As the collapse occurs, the temperatures start to rise. This is true according to physics: the more matter you have in a space, the hotter that space becomes. It’s like comparing a room full of people to one that’s empty: the one full of people will be warmer.
The dense gas and particles start to form the core of what will eventually become the star. Over time, this core starts to contract, which increases the density of the matter. As the contractions continue, along with the constant motion of gas and dust in the region, the whole system starts to rotate.
Then, as the mass starts to heat up, it eventually gets hot enough to initiate a nuclear fusion reaction, which turns the mass into a bona fide star. This is the first point at which a star is visible.
Why are Stars Important?
To understand the role of stars in our universe, we need only look at our very own star, the sun. Without the sun, life on earth could not exist. The sun provides us with energy, including Vitamin D. It also gives our plants energy and life. Without plants, we wouldn’t have a food source. Plants also make the oxygen we breathe, so we also wouldn’t have an air source.
In addition, learning about the stars has allowed humans to navigate our journey through space. Stars help us learn about the universe around us. And since knowledge is power, we may be able to better understand our own existence simply by observing the heavenly bodies that we’ll never be able to visit.
The Perfect Star Gifts for Celestial Enthusiasts
If you have a star enthusiast in your life, order a star map gift. A personalized star map recreates the night sky on the date of your choosing. It’s a great way to commemorate a milestone event in someone’s life and show them how the universe came together for them on that day.
A special event is just around the corner. You’ve done your gift-giving homework and you’ve decided that a custom star map is the gift with the most wow factor. You’re ready to sweep them off their feet with something so thoughtful and unique that no one else will think of it. The next question: what do you write on a star map? What to choose from among all the star map quotes ideas you can think of?
This is a question that doesn’t come with a one size fits all answer. The crowning jewel of a star chart poster is the personalization aspect, something that comes from the heart and highlights the importance of a certain date.
Only you can really decide what to write on a star map. But if you need a little inspiration, we suggest including a star map quote that fits with your special occasion. Here are some star map quote ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
For weddings, engagements, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any other special occasion where you’re celebrating the love of your life, a star map with a romantic quote will become an instant priceless treasure.
Adding a famous romantic quote is an excellent way to express your sentiments, especially if you’re not good with your own words. Find a quote that’s perfect for the moment you’ve captured in time with your star map, then include it in your design.
To celebrate an anniversary, consider making a star map poster your gift of choice.
Take inspiration from Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Nicholas Sparks, William Blake, Lord Byron, or countless other romantic writers that are skilled at putting feelings into words. We’ve started your research for you with the following quotes:
There are many stars in the sky tonight. But only one shines through my heart. And that is you.
Let’s dance beneath the stars and forget the world.
Under the blanket of stars, as her night met his day. She fell in love, with his love.
If kisses were stars, I would give you the sky.
Out of all the stars in the world, yours shone the most.
“Our love is like moon and star, so close yet so far.” – Susmita Boro
„Oh, don’t let’s ask for the moon. We’ve already got the stars.” – Bette Davis
“Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, to work, to play, and to look up at the stars.” – Henry Van Dyke
“Do not complain beneath the stars about the lack of bright spots in your life.” – Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
“You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars.” – Gary Allan
“From which stars have we fallen to meet each other here?” – Friedrich Nietzsche
“Look at the stars. See their beauty. And in that beauty, see yourself.” – Draya Mooney
“It’s the kind of kiss that inspires stars to climb into the sky and light up the world.” – Tahereh Mafi
Every anniversary is truly an occasion to remember. It signifies another trip around the sun together and proves how your love has endured through a year’s worth of events. A lot can happen in a year – just think of all the happy memories you’ve created together!
To celebrate an anniversary, consider making a anniversary star map your gift of choice. Your star map can use your wedding date, or even your first date or day of engagement as the primary artwork. Then, add a special anniversary star map quote or message to give your star map more context.
Every anniversary is truly an occasion to remember.
Feel free to use one of these popular messages for your star map anniversary gift:
Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be.
Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life… love gives us a fairytale
You are my today and all of my tomorrows
I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you
I’d never lived before your love
Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness
Everything is better together
All that you are is all that I’ll ever need
Here’s to another year of being great together
If I had a do-over and I had to choose again, I would choose you
You are more than my number one. You are my only one.
If I could turn back the clock I would find you sooner and love you longer
Lucky I’m in love with my best friend
“I saw you were perfect and so I loved you. I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim
Because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less and smile a lot more.
And so the adventure continues!
Thanks for showing me year after year what it takes to make love last.
Anyone can fall in love, but not everyone can stay in love
“True love doesn’t come to you, it has to be inside you.” – Julia Roberts
„Real love stories never have endings.” – Richard Bach
There is no better occasion to order a birthday star map than the birthday of your beloved one! Aren’t we all a bit curious how was the day we were born? Create the Star Map for your significant other, sibling, or parent showing them all the constellations on the sky. No doubt that’s the most original gift of all but also a great wall art decoration. We can assure you – there is no same Star Map poster across the galaxy!
Take some inspiration on quotes and messages which make a perfect combination with the minimalistic Star Map.
“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” – Casey Kasem
“There was a star danced, and under that was I born.” ― William Shakespeare
“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me want to dream.” ― Vincent Van Gogh
“When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either.” – Leo Burnett
“Remember to reach for the stars, and they won’t be able to resist flying into your hands!” – Katherine McNamara
The moon danced with the stars on the night you were born.
“Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.” ― Christy Evans
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” ― Norman Vincent Peale
“After you grow as an adult, the age is just not a number, but a mind set.” ― Shesh Nath Vernwal
“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever.” ― Germaine Greer
“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” ― John Lennon
Life is a journey. Enjoy every mile.
Time to celebrate. You made the trip around the sun one more time. It’s a birthday revolution.
“There are two great days in a person’s life — the day we are born and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay
“Don’t just count your years, make your years count.” – George Meredith
There is no occasion more special than bringing a baby into your family. It’s a moment you spend nine months preparing for, and once your little bundle of joy finally arrives, you’ll want to capture every moment possible. Babies grow so quickly, so taking time to soak in their most special milestones is something you’ll appreciate for years to come.
Some parents (or other family members) commemorate the occasion by ordering a night sky poster. Once the baby is born, you can use our star map creator to input the baby’s birth date and recreate what the night sky looked like on the night they were born.
To make it even more special, you can add a line or two of custom text, such as a special quote or your baby’s birth stats (e.g. name, weight, length, etc.).
Whoever is walking down the aisle will love having a special star map to remember their magical day.
If you choose a quote or special text, you’ll have no shortage of options. Many parents love the inspiring musings of Dr. Seuss. Countless other children’s authors have also penned noteworthy quotes that are fitting for a star map poster. Check out our suggestions on what you can say on a star map for your new baby:
A new baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
May you always know, Little One, that you were wished for, longed for, prayed for and will be forever loved.
The littlest feet make the biggest footprints in our hearts.
Just when you think you know love, someone so little and precious comes along to remind you just how big love really is.
You will always be the miracle that makes my life complete.
So tiny, so small, so loved by all…
And suddenly you were my everything…
Baby – a little bit of heaven sent down to earth
For all the things my hands have held the best by far is you.
I love you from the tip of your toes to the top of your head.
The first day of your life was the best of mine!
“A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.” – Carl Sandburg
“With every newborn baby a little sun rises.” – Irmgard Erath
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” – Winnie The Pooh
From the moment they placed you in our arms, you snuggled right into our hearts.
A sweet new blossom of humanity.
In the eyes of a child… there is joy, there is laughter… there is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future.
May you touch fireflies and stars, dance with fairies and talk to the man in the moon. May you grow up with love and gracious hearts and people who care.
“Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be.” – Carrie Fisher
First we had each other. Then we had you. Now we have everything.
A dream is a wish your heart makes… our dream was You
It was the tiniest thing I ever decided to put my whole life into.
Let me love you a little more before you’re not little anymore
Quote Ideas about the Night Sky, Stars and Love – A Tribute to a Newlywed Couple
Maybe you’re not the one getting married this time. Maybe you have a special couple in your life, such as your own son or daughter getting married for the first time, or even your parents finding a new happily ever after. Whoever is walking down the aisle will love having a special star map with night sky message to remember their magical day.
Newlywed couples might not agree on home decor and style, but they’ll both agree that hanging their stars the night we met poster in their new home is a must. They’ll feel those same emotions from their wedding every time they look at it and will be eager to show it off to their house guests.
Here are some ideas to help you customize your star map poster:
There are countless other milestone moments in a person’s life that are worth observing. Graduations, promotions, buying a new home, adoptions, and other big events deserve to be remembered. You can give every moment the tribute it deserves with a star map gift and a fitting star map quotes.
Not sure if your own words will hit home? Need a little inspiration to complete your custom star map? Positive Prints has you covered.
Our new Quote feature will suggest a quote for you! On Step 2 of the star map editor, click the small speech bubble with a heart in the middle, then select the occasion (e.g. birthday, anniversary, etc.).
Where to find the quote suggestion for the star map
You’ll see a variety of options that have been hand selected by our team to represent every occasion with the deepest sentiments. Select the quote you desire for your title or subtitle and Positive Prints will automatically insert it into the star map editor.
Say the perfect thing with every star map, no guesswork required.
