Celestial cartography

Celestial cartography is the practice of representing celestial objects and features in maps, charts, and catalogs, from star positions to planetary surfaces.

Celestial coordinate system: A framework for specifying positions on the celestial sphere using angular coordinates. Coordinates give star charts and sky surveys a shared language for locating objects.
Astrometry: The measurement of the positions and motions of celestial objects. Astrometric measurements supply the precise positions plotted on star maps.
Star chart: A map of stars and other objects in a region of the sky. Star charts are the familiar practical form of celestial maps for locating sky objects.
Babylonian astronomy: The systematic observation and recording of celestial phenomena in ancient Mesopotamia. Babylonian records and star lists formed an early foundation for organized sky mapping.
Celestial sphere: An imaginary sphere centered on an observer, onto which celestial positions are projected. Many maps begin by treating the sky as a sphere surrounding Earth.
Astronomical survey: A systematic program of observing a substantial region of the sky or a celestial population. Surveys collect consistent observations from which large-scale maps and catalogs are built.
Celestial navigation: Navigation that determines position from observations of celestial bodies. Navigators use mapped star positions to identify objects and fix their location.
Ptolemy: A Greek-speaking astronomer and geographer whose second-century works shaped astronomy and cartography. His star catalog preserved positions for hundreds of stars in the ancient tradition.
Astronomical coordinate systems: Reference systems that assign positions and orientations to objects in astronomy. Map coordinates depend on reference systems that can change with time and observer.
Photogrammetry: The extraction of measurements and spatial information from photographs. Overlapping spacecraft images allow surface shape and terrain to be reconstructed.

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