15 Best Gifts for Astrophysicists in 2023

Astrophysicists are tough to find gifts for. They tend to want things that are practical yet unique and a little nerdy. Being a space and physics fan myself, I wanted to assemble what I think are the best gift ideas for an astrophysicist. This collection will show them that you understand their love of space and physics and support them in their passions. 

This list is a compilation of my favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for scientists on the planet!

1. The Pocket Scientist pocket ruler and equation reference

Your favorite astrophysicist will never forget this unique gift! They will carry this credit card-sized science and engineering ruler with them every day for a lifetime. We even laser-engraved the backside full of basic science equations and physical constants. See the product page for a full list of features we've packed in!

You can also add a custom logo to this for events, networking, or promotional giveaways! Custom orders start at 100 pieces - just email us for more info.

Available with free shipping from our website or from Amazon.

The Pocket Scientist at Genius Lab Gear

The Pocket Scientist from Amazon

How to use The Pocket Scientist – Full Feature Guide

P.S. We also have versions specifically for Chemists and Engineers if those are a better fit for the person you have in mind!

2. Physics Word Magnets for the fridge or office

Science-themed gifts are rarely as entertaining and enduring as our science-themed word magnet sets! We recently launched these to encourage creativity and self-expression in labs, classrooms and offices. Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity.

The Physics Word Magnet set was designed with help from professional physicists, who chose words to make it both science-y and humorous. These are just plain fun!

Also now available on Amazon.

3. Men's Constellations Silk Necktie

The constellation necktie is the ideal finishing touch for a subtle nerdy work outfit, allowing your favorite astrophysicist to sport the unique blend of astronomy and fashion that they've been dying for. This one-of-a-kind gift for astronomy fans has constellation prints and can be worn for nearly any occasion. Crafted in silk, you can be certain that this constellation necktie will impress no matter where they go.

Check the price on Amazon.

4. Meteorite Fragments from Around The World by Rocksbury Place

Have you ever considered giving a rock from outer space to your favorite astrophysicist? How about eight pieces? This stunning and very unique gift was created using fragments of genuine meteorites. Some of these artifacts are thought to have come to earth over 40,000 years ago but were formed even earlier! Each meteorite is individually encased, and the specifications for factual information are printed on the back of the enclosure! The name, location of discovery, class, date of fall/discovery, description, and further remarks are all included in the information.

Check the price on Amazon.

5. Carl Sagan "Something Incredible" Canvas Wrap

From the famous astrophysicist Carl Sagan, this canvas wrap quote is your daily reminder to get out there and be curious, explore, experiment, and discover. It's impossible to know what remains to be discovered until you are running the experiment that can change everything. Carl Sagan is one of the most visionary scientists of our time. He always had a way to inspire and instill a sense of wonder in the next generation. Honor his memory and make your own discoveries.

This Carl Sagan “Something Incredible” Canvas Wrap is made for any science lover. It’s made in the USA, printed on museum-quality textured canvas with no glare or sheen, and wrapped around 1.25” thick to give a visual pop on a flat wall.

6. Desk Planets - Handmade Planet Gemstone

A truly unique gift for an astrophysicist is something that represents their passion or hobby. These natural gemstones are handmade to look like the planets of our solar system. All are natural stones that can be found around the world and were carefully selected based on appearance to perfectly represent each planet. It's well packed with a beautiful walnut base to keep each gemstone in place and enclosed in a clean crafted black box. An excellent way for them to help others visualize the solar system and keep perspective on our little home. 

Check the price on Amazon.

7. LEGO Ideas - International Space Station

We can study space...from space, thanks to the International Space Station. This LEGO version of the ISS will let them build their own model of the Earth’s premier space research laboratory! Let’s be honest - LEGOs were designed for kids but are secretly a ton of fun for adults too! It’s a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, exercise your creativity, and spend some quality time with your kids.

Check the price on Amazon.

8. Rocketbook Matrix cloud-connected reusable paper notebook

Astrophysicists do a lot of work both on paper and with software. Rocketbook finally solved the problem of merging your hand-written notes into your favorite digital services. You simply use their app to take a photo of your pages of notes and the QR code and marked symbols on each page trigger the app to send the digitized page to any of the 9 pre-set digital destinations you choose. This includes OneNote, Evernote, Google Drive, Dropbox, and even specific emails. Want a shortcut to send notes via email straight to your colleague or boss? This is what you’re looking for.

The Rocketbook Matrix is my personal favorite because it's designed for more technical engineering work. It's got 30 pages of graphing paper and one regular lined page for taking notes, plus a built-in ruler on the inside cover. Did I mention they are reusable? Use their "Pilot Frixion" pens and then wipe the page with a damp cloth after uploading your notes to use it all over again (and win one for the environment!). 

If it's sold out on their website (it's very popular) - you can also get it on Amazon.

9. Earth and Space: 100 Postcards

This set of NASA postcards provides an out-of-this-world gift for anyone interested in space or science, as well as everyone who appreciates the wonders of the universe. It’s a collection of 100 different NASA postcards, featuring astonishing images of Earth from above, the phenomena of our solar system, and the celestial bodies of deep space that will make any space fan geek out. Each postcard contains an informative description to help your astrophysics lover share the wonders of the cosmos with friends and family.

Check the price on Amazon.

10. Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going

Neil deGrasse Tyson is the most popular astrophysicist hero and role model, popularizing science with books and through his frequent appearances on television as a talk show guest or hosting his series about science. In this book, Neil deGrasse Tyson and his co-author James Trefil take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia like “How did life begin?”, “What is our place in the universe?”, and “Are we alone?” They provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories. This is the ideal present for science nerds, space and physics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning about their place in the universe.

Check the price on Amazon.

11. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

This is another amazing book written by the famous Neil deGrasse Tyson that will make the perfect gift for an astrophysicist. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is full of Tyson’s charm and wit as he attempts to explain some of the most complex astrophysics concepts in layman's terms. This book is easy to read and informative - perfect for people who love physics and space.

Check the price on Amazon.

12. Spaceteam: A Fast-paced, Cooperative, Shouting Card Game

A space-themed game made for space lovers. Spaceteam is a fast-paced, cooperative shouting card game in which players must work together to repair a broken spaceship. As they struggle to escape an imminent black hole, coordination with the rest of the crew is essential. The only way to save the spacecraft is to work together with their Spaceteam to fix it before it's too late!

Check the price on Amazon.

13. Deep Space Mysteries 2024 Calendar

The Deep Space Mysteries Calendar brings a year of amazing photos, fascinating facts, and more! It’s filled with dramatic images of nebulae, spiral galaxies, planets, star-forming regions, and other mysteries of deep space. As a bonus, it’s also packed with detailed astronomical events, planet visibility, meteor showers, conjunctions, and other observing opportunities, as well as moon phases that an astrophysicist will surely love.

Check the price on Amazon.

14. JSWT Earrings

The recently launched James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is dazzling astronomers with gorgeous images of the galaxy. The key to its sharpness is it's gold-plated hexagonal mirror array. These beautiful mini-versions of the mirror from Science Socks also make for dazzling earrings for any physicist.

15. Observatories set

A subtle nerdy touch to a physicist's Christmas Tree, this 4-ornament set of four influential orbiting observatories makes for an excellent holiday-themed gift. The Hubble, Chandra, Compton and Spitzer telescopes have changed the way we view our solar system. Let them orbit your tree this Christmas!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is a good gift for an astrophysicist?

Anything that's practical, functional or can help them show their love for astrophysics. Here are our favorites:

• The Pocket Scientist pocket ruler and equation reference
• Physics Word Magnets for the fridge or office
• Carl Sagan "Something Incredible" Canvas Wrap
• Constellations Necktie
• Meteorite Fragments from Around The World
• Handmade Planet Gemstone
• LEGO - International Space Station
• Rocketbook Matrix cloud-connected reusable paper notebook
• Earth and Space: 100 Postcards
• Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going
• Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
• Spaceteam: A Fast-paced, Cooperative, Shouting Card Game
• Deep Space Mysteries 2024 Calendar

More gift collections for specific types of scientists and engineers:

We've further curated several collections of our own inventions depending on the type of scientist or engineer you're looking for. See these more niche collections below for more ideas!

Gifts for Engineers

Gifts for Mechanical Engineers

Gifts for Civil Engineers

Gifts for Electrical Engineers

Gifts for Chemical Engineers

Gifts for Aerospace Engineers

Gifts for Engineer Retirement

Gifts for Professional Engineers

Gifts for Female Engineers

Gifts for Professors and Grad School PIs

Unique Gifts for Graduate and PhD Students

Gifts for Chemists and Chemistry Students

Gifts for Scientists