Compass to the Northern Sky: Moon Landing Edition, a part of our Constellation Explorer series of star charts

WE LAUNCHED OUR original Constellation Explorer star chart over four years ago to coincide with the date Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon, so it gives us great pleasure to introduce our latest print — Compass to the Northern Sky: Moon Landing Edition — using the same typography that NASA chose for the Apollo moon mission plaques.

If you’ve never heard about these plaques, a brief history: NASA commemorated each mission to the moon with a metal plaque that the Apollo astronauts left behind on the lunar surface. The plaques included a brief inscription; on some missions, the number of the mission; the names of the crew members and the signature of the president of the time of the landings, Richard Nixon, all typeset in Futura regular or condensed.

Plaque on the landing gear of the Apollo 11 lunar module. The descent stage would remain on the moon, a permanent commemoration of the first visit at the landing site. (Photo: NASA)

We can only guess why NASA chose Futura for the type, but we’d like to think it was due to its clean and modern geometry while also feeling friendly.

In addition to all new type, the Moon Landing Edition features a handsomely redesigned dial inspired by luxury men’s watches of the era. We’ve also expanded the “how to use” instructions just in case you don’t have a PhD in Cosmology from Cambridge (hat tip to you Dr. Stephen Hawking, naturally) on making sense of the chart. And not to worry in the new edition: all 48 constellations commonly visible in the Northern Hemisphere night sky are still featured, just like its predecessor.

We think this new edition possesses that special combination of both looks and brains — it’s as functional as a map as it is beautiful.

We’re able to ship these framed pieces to any address in the Continental USA, with complimentary shipping — yes free shipping! — included. Framing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date of your order. 

It’s our hope that these constellation prints become a prized and cherished addition to your home or office, that they continue to generate a sense of wonder and awe for many years to come, and they become an heirloom that you pass down to your family. They’re as timeless as the universe itself.

A big hearty thank you to “House Beautiful” for including one of our prints — 

Constellation Explorer: Compass to the Northern Sky

— in its Dec/Jan 2014 issue on newsstands this week.

An image of one of our star charts is featured in the mag’s “Master Class” column on page 24, where each month prominent decorators offer insights into the products and techniques that inspire their work. New York decorator Thomas O'Brien  – renowned for his tasteful modernism, fusing old and new together to create a timeless elegance – was interviewed for the column by Meeghan Truelove.

In the column, Mr. O'Brien tells of a 1940s star chart that he found on an antiquing trip that has become a cherished possession, and links to our Compass to the Northern Sky print for a similar chart.

In fact, it was upon seeing Mr. O'Brien’s Rand McNally map some years back that we became enamored with finding a star chart of a similar size for our own walls. After scouring the market for years to no avail, we commissioned a mapmaker to lay out and design a new chart from scratch with the most up-to-date astronomical coordinates. We printed it in 3 ft x 3 ft in both black and dark navy, and it quickly became a touchstone for us, one of our most popular and beloved pieces.

We feel privileged to be included in such illustrious company. Mr. O'Brien’s extraordinary good taste and formidable design talent are a source of constant inspiration. His latest book, released in early November — Aero: Beginning to Now — is already one of our favorites.