# The nox-minima dome: a tangible alternative to flat star maps for astronomy education

## TL;DR

The nox-minima dome is an affordable, easy-to-assemble 3D paper model that offers accurate, customizable sky views for astronomy education, enhancing hands-on learning and cultural understanding.

## Contribution

It introduces a low-cost, tangible alternative to flat star maps, enabling personalized sky representations for educational purposes.

## Key findings

- Effective in engaging students and teachers in astronomy education
- Provides accurate local sky views for any date and location
- Simple to assemble and freely available

## 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.