Three-Dimensional Maps
The surface of Terra is close enough to being flat that one can get away with using a two-dimensional map printed on a flat piece of paper.
The planets of the solar system can still be managed on a flat map, though not as easily. The planets are all pretty close to the plane of the ecliptic, except for that pesky Pluto. But comets do not map well at all.
On a broad scale, you can sort of manage to map the entire galaxy as a whole. It is about 100,000 light years in diameter, but only about 1,000 light years thick. A 100:1 ratio is close to a plane. Except for that pesky bulbous core. But the globular cluster do not map well at all.
Unfortunately, interstellar map of individual stars pretty much
demand three-dimensional maps. As do maps of clusters of galaxies.
This wouldn't be a problem except for the tragic lack of 3-D holographic projectors on the consumer market. Paper maps and flat images on computer screens are so much more available. The most afordable solution I've found to date is the Windows software
AstroSynthesis. It allows one to dynamically rotate the map with your computer mouse, zoom in, and make short video clips. If you do purchase it, be sure to download the
free HIP and Kepner star catalogs of nearby stars.
