How to Celebrate International Astronomy Day
Looking for fun and meaningful ways to celebrate International Astronomy Day? From stargazing tips to naming a star, read our guide for activities for all ages!
Every year, astronomy enthusiasts around the world unite for a special event dedicated to the wonders of the universe: International Astronomy Day. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or just getting curious about the cosmos, this day is the perfect excuse to look up and explore the night sky. But how exactly can you join the celebration?
Here are some stellar ways to make the most of International Astronomy Day, from fun at-home activities to once-in-a-lifetime gifts!
What Is International Astronomy Day?
International Astronomy Day was first introduced in 1973 by Doug Berger, president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California. His idea was simple: bring telescopes to the public so everyone could experience the wonders of space first-hand. The tradition has grown over the decades, with astronomy clubs, planetariums, observatories, and science centres hosting free events worldwide.
It’s now celebrated twice a year – once in the spring and once in the autumn – to accommodate observers in both hemispheres. In 2025, the spring Astronomy Day falls on Saturday, May 10th, making it the perfect time to dive into the stars.
How to Celebrate International Astronomy Day
1. Host a Stargazing Party
One of the simplest yet most memorable ways to celebrate is to host your own stargazing night. Invite friends or family, lay out some blankets, bring warm drinks (or cold ones, depending on your hemisphere), and set your eyes to the skies. Spring evenings are often clear and comfortable, giving you a front-row seat to spring constellations like Leo, Virgo, and Boötes.
Apps like the OSR Star Finder App can enhance the experience by helping you identify stars, constellations, and even planets in real time. It’s a fun and interactive way to learn about the cosmos, especially for younger guests.
2. Visit a Local Observatory or Planetarium
Check if any local observatories or planetariums are hosting special events. Many offer free telescope viewings, educational talks, and family-friendly workshops on Astronomy Day. It’s an ideal chance to see deep-sky objects that are difficult to observe at home, like star clusters, galaxies, or even Saturn’s rings.
Pro tip: Call ahead or check their websites to see if booking is required – these events can get popular!
3. Explore the Universe from Home
Can’t make it out to an event? No problem! There are countless ways to celebrate from your own living room. Watch a documentary like Cosmos or The Universe, explore NASA’s free image libraries, or tune into a livestream of a telescope feed from around the world.
You can also take a virtual tour of observatories or use sky simulation software like Stellarium to experience the sky at different times and locations. It’s a great option if you’re dealing with cloudy weather or city lights.
4. Name a Star for Someone Special
Looking for a gift that’s truly out of this world? Why not name a star for someone through the Online Star Register? It’s a unique way to celebrate a loved one or commemorate a special occasion, like International Astronomy Day itself.
When you name a star with OSR, you’ll receive a beautifully printed certificate, a star map showing your star’s location, and access to the OSR Star Finder App to track it in the night sky. There are several gift pack options to choose from, including:
OSR Gift Pack (Printed and Digital)
A physical version of your star naming certificate, star map, and explanatory documentation, delivered in an elegant blue presentation folder. You’ll also get digital access to the materials via email.
Online Star Gift (Digital Only)
Perfect for last-minute gifting or environmentally conscious choices, this option includes all the same digital materials without the printed extras.
Super Star Gift
A deluxe version of the standard pack, our Super Star Gift includes digital documents, apps, a gift pack, and exclusive accessories including a sparkling starglobe, the Fly Me to the Stars VR set, and a special OSR telescope, all presented in our special OSR Gift Box. Perfect for marking a truly unforgettable occasion!
Each of these gift options adds a meaningful personal touch to your International Astronomy Day celebrations – and keeps the memory shining bright for years to come.
5. Learn a New Constellation
Use Astronomy Day as a launchpad for your celestial education. Pick one or two constellations to learn and locate them in the sky. Start with easy-to-spot formations like Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) or Orion, depending on your location and time of year.
You could even challenge yourself or your family with a ‘constellation scavenger hunt’, using the OSR Star Finder App to guide you. The sense of discovery is especially rewarding when you can spot a pattern unaided for the first time!
6. Create Star-Themed Crafts
If you’re celebrating with children, star-themed crafts can be a fun and educational way to get involved. Create your own constellation viewer with a cardboard tube and pinholes, or use glow-in-the-dark stickers to recreate constellations on your ceiling. These activities can inspire curiosity and help children remember the star patterns they see later in the sky.
For older kids or crafty adults, try building a scale model of the solar system, designing a personalised star map, or creating a piece of astronomy-inspired art.
7. Share Your Passion
Finally, don’t keep your love for the stars to yourself – spread the word! Share photos, telescope shots, or space trivia on social media using hashtags like #AstronomyDay or #LookUp. You could even gift someone their own named star or encourage them to join you for your next stargazing session.
Astronomy is a wonderfully communal hobby, and International Astronomy Day is a chance to connect with others who share your cosmic curiosity.
Celebrate the Stars, Your Way
Whether you’re naming a star, exploring galaxies from your sofa, or just lying on the grass spotting constellations, International Astronomy Day is a reminder of how vast – and wonderful – the universe truly is. It’s a chance to reconnect with the skies, deepen your knowledge, and maybe even inspire someone else to look up.
Want to mark the occasion in a lasting way? Explore the Online Star Register’s star naming gifts and give someone a reason to remember the night sky forever!
