Cernan Space Center

  •  Cernan Earth and Space Center  

    Star Store Online



    TO SHOP ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE. 


    Welcome to the Star Store Online, which offers selected items from the Cernan Earth and Space Center's Star Store gift shop on a secure YAHOO! SHOPPING Web site. Many of our items are related to the popular themes of astronomy, space exploration and the study of our own planet Earth. Merchandise from the Star Store also can be ordered by mail or telephone during regular business hours. Our telephone number is (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3294, and our address is: Cernan Center Star Store, Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, IL USA 60171. To ask a question or inquire about your order, you also may e-mail us at cescstore@yahoo.com. The Cernan Center accepts Visa and MasterCard only. 


    The Star Store Online features:
     
    Eugene Cernan Memorabilia Space Exploration
    Astronomy Items Star Certificates
    Dinosaur and Earth Science MySkymap packages



    Star Certificates

    How do I order a Star Certificate? 
     
    Ordering a Star Certificate from the Cernan Earth and Space Center is a two-stage process: 
     
    1) Payment. Cernan Center Star Certificates can be purchased at the Yahoo Store's Star Certificate page, in person at the Cernan Earth and Space Center's Star Store Gift Shop, or by phone at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3372. Payment in advance is required (cash, check, Visa, MasterCard) before our staff will begin work on your personalized Star Certificate.
     
    2) Personalization. You must supply our staff with the information needed to create your personalizedStar Certificate, such as whose name should appear on the certificate, etc. To complete this step, please print out and complete a Star Certificate Order Form that is printed on each Yahoo Store item page. Mail it to Cernan Center Star Store, Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, IL USA 60171 or fax it to (708) 583-3153. Because each Star Certificate package is prepared individually, orders require three to seven working days to prepare. The completed packet can be mailed or picked up in person. 
     
    What is a Star Certificate? What will I get? 
     
    A Star Certificate from the Cernan Earth and Space Center honors any person you choose with the name and description of one of the countless stars in the nighttime sky. Although the Star Certificate does not rename the star (only the International Astronomical Union can do that), it bestows a special honor to a friend or loved one. You also may purchase a Star Certificate for yourself.
     
    When you order a Star Certificate, the recipient will receive: 
    • the Star Certificate, which is printed on heavier stock paper and is suitable for framing. It bears the name of the recipient, the name of the gift giver, and the name and description of the star that honors the Star Certificate recipient.
    • a series of personalized star maps. Some star maps show the star's location with respect to the entire sky, while other star maps show a close-up of the star within its designated constellation.
    Our staff selects stars that are visible for several months following the issue date. If you prefer, you can have us select a star that will be visible six months from now. It also may be possible for one of the astronomers at the Cernan Center’s Monthly Skywatches to help you find your designated star through a telescope. 
     
    The particular star (as well as its brightness) is selected by a Cernan Center staff member based upon the chosen gift category. Following astronomical nomenclature, the brightest stars are said to have the lowest magnitudes. For example, a first magnitude star is brighter than a second magnitude star, which in turn is brighter than a third magnitude star. The faintest stars visible to most people from a dark site are sixth magnitude stars. The six categories of Cernan Center Star Certificates (all of which represent stars visible to the unaided eye) are as follows: 
     
    Star Certificate Category  Range of Stellar Magnitude  Price of Star Certificate 
    Zero -1.5 to 0.99 $1,000
    One 1.00 to 1.99 $500
    Two 2.00 to 2.99 $250
    Three 3.00 to 3.99 $100
    Four 4.00 to 4.99 $50
    Five 5.00 to 5.99 $25
     
    Funds raised by the sale of Star Certificates in the Star Store gift shop will be used to improve Triton College’s Cernan Earth and Space Center and its programs, exhibits and services. 


    NEW! -- MySkymap packages -- NEW! 

    The Cernan Center's MySkymap package colorfully presents your unique sky at the moment of your birth (or some other very important moment in your life). By providing us with a date, time, and location, our staff will generate three sky maps (views looking east, south, and west) that show the sky at your specified moment in time and location on Earth. Ordering a MySkymap package from the Cernan Earth and Space Center is a two-stage process: 

    1) Payment. MySkymap packages can be purchased for $25 (plus $3.95 shipping) at the Yahoo Store's MySkymap page, in person at the Cernan Earth and Space Center's Star Store Gift Shop, or by phone at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3372. Payment in advance is required (cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) before our staff will begin work on your personalized MySkymap package. 

    2) Personalization. You must supply our staff with the information needed to create your personalizedMySkymap, such as the recipient's name, date, time, and geographic location. To complete this step, please print out and complete a MySkymap Order Form that is posted to the Yahoo Store's MySkymappage. Mail it to: Cernan Center Star Store, Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, IL USA 60171 or fax it to (708) 583-3153. Because each MySkymap package is prepared individually, orders require three to seven working days to prepare. The completed packet can be mailed or picked up in person. 

    When you order a MySkymap package, the recipient will receive: 
    • Three full color sky maps showing the sky at your specified moment in time -- views looking east, south, and west. [Please note: There is no map facing north because the stars of the northern sky are always the same stars forever circling the North Celestial Pole] Each sky map is printed on heavier stock paper (suitable for framing) and is shipped in a protective mailer. 

       
    • An Instruction Page that briefly explains the sky maps and how to use them. 

       
    • A CyberSkyTM software information sheet.

    Funds raised by the sale of MySkymaps would be used to improve the Cernan Earth and Space Center and its programs, exhibits and services. 


    Visit the Star Store in person
     
    If you live near or plan to visit the Chicago area, you can visit the Cernan Earth and Space Center and its Star Store gift shop in person. The Star Store offers an assortment of unique gifts, many more than we offer online. Books, T-shirts, sweatshirts, binoculars, science discovery kits, coffee mugs, posters and unique toys are just a few of the many items for sale. 
     
    The Star Store's regular hours are as follows: 
     
    Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
    Fridays  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
    and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.     
    Saturdays  6:30 to 9:30 p.m. 
    Sundays  1:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
     
    If you have specific questions, please call the Cernan Center's Star Store Manager at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3294, or e-mail us at cescstore@yahoo.com.