The nox-minima dome: a tangible alternative to flat star maps for astronomy education
Physics Education
2025-09-01 v1 Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Abstract
This article introduces nox-minima, a low-cost, three-dimensional paper dome that provides an alternative representation of the sky for astronomy education. Generated from precise astronomical data, the dome provides accurate local sky views for any date and location. Its assembly is simple, and the design is freely available at nox-minima.net/en . Initial workshops with students and teachers confirm its effectiveness as a hands-on tool to explore the celestial sphere and cultural perspectives on the sky.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2508.21195,
title = {The nox-minima dome: a tangible alternative to flat star maps for astronomy education},
author = {A. Bessa},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2508.21195},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
12 pages, 9 figures. Introduces nox-minima, a low-cost 3D paper dome for astronomy education. Design available at nox-minima.net/en