The zenith plot is known as a perspective projection, which means it depends on a time and place. They're useful for many things in astronomy, but Starplot also lets you create general-purpose maps of the sky that are independent of location.

To create a general map, you use the MapPlot class, which works similar to the zenith plot but takes a few different parameters:

projection: Instance of a Projection, which is the method to use for transforming the curved shape of the three-dimensional sky to a flat two-dimensional map. In this example, we use a Mercator projection, but Starplot supports many types of projections and you can customize their properties (e.g. central RA/DEC).
ra_min / ra_max : Right ascension (RA) extent of the map (in degrees)
dec_min / dec_max : Declination (DEC) extent of the map (in degrees)

Here's a code example that creates a MapPlot of the area around Orion:

from starplot import MapPlot, Mercator, _
from starplot.styles import PlotStyle, extensions

style = PlotStyle().extend(
    extensions.BLUE_LIGHT,
    extensions.MAP,
    {
        "legend": {
            "location": "lower right",  # show legend inside map
            "num_columns": 3,
            "background_alpha": 1,
        },
    },
)

p = MapPlot(
    projection=Mercator(),  # specify a non-perspective projection
    ra_min=3.6 * 15,  # limit the map to a specific area
    ra_max=7.8 * 15,
    dec_min=-15,
    dec_max=27,
    style=style,
    resolution=3600,
    autoscale=True,  # automatically adjust the scale based on the resolution
)

p.gridlines()  # add gridlines
p.constellations()
p.constellation_borders()

p.stars(
    where=[_.magnitude < 8], bayer_labels=True, flamsteed_labels=True
)  # include Bayer and Flamsteed labels with the stars


p.nebula(where=[(_.magnitude < 9) | (_.magnitude.isnull())], where_labels=[False])
p.open_clusters(
    where=[(_.magnitude < 9) | (_.magnitude.isnull())], where_labels=[False]
)

p.milky_way()
p.ecliptic()

p.legend()  # add a legend

p.constellation_labels()  # Plot the constellation labels last for best placement

p.export("tutorial_04.png", padding=0.2, transparent=True)

In the next section, we'll learn how to create an optic plot which shows an area of the sky when viewed through an optic (such as binoculars or a telescope)...

4 - Creating a Basic Map