Have you had a star named after you? I've heard companies that do this. What are the costs associated and...

Question

what name did you give to your star.

(Okay I secretly want a star that's why I'm asking). ;o)

Jack, I don't discredit any opinions, as this business idea has been fostering for quite some time. However, it is marketed based on ideals of romanticism, and many women, (general statement, and opinion biased based by my inquiry) feel that it might be substantial. I don't expect a star named after me, some yahoo user, or any star gazers to idealize me with my name in the heavens. , but I do think it's a sweet idea, a gesture/notion, however trivial, and yes, coordinates given under some sort of testiment and declaration are expected, to stare into the heavens with my telescope and point out any claim as a registered star naming, as mine, with whatever name I so choose. Wildwhiskey is nice, but I'd make it more personal. There are billions of stars, and I'm not asking to be a pioneer in studying them or researching them, but if money can buy anything, and really .. how much can a star be worth? I mean Pluto has it's moons, Charon, why.. in fact can't anyone name a star?

Answer 1

I have to laugh every time I hear Rocky whoosis advertising his star registry. It is a delightfully romantic SCAM, and it is a real tribute to the goofiness of our society that someone can make money selling essentially nothing. I must say I have been tempted to start a competing registry, offering two for one, or half price for the cutest letter, whatever. Where is the competition? On a more serious note, it is also a bit of a devastating comment on the education system that anyone thinks his registry means anything. Previous answers got it right, save your bucks, pick a star, write anything about it that you want, name it anything you like, put the note in a locket, and have a nice gift. Take your friend out for dinner with the money you saved.

Answer 2

As many others above have said, save your money. There are several "registries" that will take your money and "name" a star whatever you want, but they all sell the same stars! The truth is that NOONE can name a star. The International Astronomical Union is the only group that can name celestial objects (by international treaty) and they don't name stars, they only assign them designations (a string of numbers).

I work in a planetarium, and I have heard countless horror stories from other planetarians who have had to tell patrons "I'm sorry, but the star you named after your dead child isn't really yours, and doesn't really have that name. You were scammed." Most of us who work in the planetarium field HATE these registries. Another colleague of mine was asked to point out a star someone had "named" - they gave him the star chart. The star was actually added to the chart with a pen! Either the star was so faint that it didn't appear on the original chart, or they made it up. Either way, that's deceptive marketing practice. Don't give them your money!

Answer 3

You are right. There is a posibilty of that being done. The only thing is that I don't know where you can get this done. I actually read a story about a man who got a star named after his dead wife. But that was sometime back and now I have forgotten how he did that. I suppose there is some kind of a authority for this and I don't know whether there is a company that provide the facility.

Since the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to stars may be you should contact them.

PS I also want a star named after me, so please tell me if you find where to contact.

Answer 4

The IAU is the internationally recognized keeper of celestial names. They don't sell them. If you want pay ISR to name a star, go ahead. However, no one else will ever call it by name you choose.

You might as well name the star you like best. Tell all your friends and the save the money.

Answer 5

Umm, I hate to break the news to you but its a scam.

Do you really think astronomers look into the heavens and say - there's the star named after the girl asking the Yahoo group about companies who name stars?

Go outside, look into the sky, find a star you like and then say - you babe, are my star.

Then stick to your guns for the rest of your life sharing that star bearing your name.

You'll save money and get to the same destination.

Answer 6

If you pay to have a star with your name you'll loose some bucks and the name won't be recognised.
But....
I'll give you an answer that I wrote a while ago for some one else.


You can register by claiming into your name, a celestial body, through Archimedes Space Law Institute.
The "terms" are that you must have full details for the body you claim, that means you must have some special knowledge in Astronomy.
According to International Treaty 1967,
"Article II
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means", but it leaves open to the "individual" appropriation.
http://www.state.gov/www/global/arms/tre...

You can find more info at the "Archimedes'" site, as well you'll see claims that have been done by individuals and have got into their names Land in the moon and they resale it (Lunarembassy)
http://www.lunarembassy.com/
or hundreds of "Galaxies", and they are the richest (on paper) persons int the world.

i.e.
http://permanent.com/archimedes/claims/d...

http://permanent.com/archimedes/claims/d...

Arhimedes site is:
http://www.permanent.com/archimedes/...

and to register there is no cost involved, so far.
Well..... it is somehow like buying houses in the MONOPOLY, but it is still fun.
I own some thousands of Galaxies.nebulas and some other celestial bodies.:)

Good luck.

Answer 7

It is not possible to name a star. The only celestial object your name can be associated with is a comet , if you discover it Apart from the formal stiff designation , the comet is known as Comet Discoverer ( Comet Kohoutek ,e.g.). If you discover an asteroid , you have the privilege of suggesting a name , subject to conditions.
Among friends/lovers you can give a star a name of your choice , but not officially.All it gets is a catalogue number.Unromantic , but functional.

Answer 8

I've heard about this. I mean the add. I've also heard about it in a show on the radio. The truth is that they will put your chosen name in a registry, but there are countless registries around, and if I would open a "business" like naming a star, I would create a registry also. No scientist will ever use that name, that is for sure. I really don't advise you to name one. That business is bordering scam. Check my link below.

Answer 9

The star name thing sounds like a hoax to get money.
Unless sent some kind of registered document, anybody can print up phony info sheet with star coordinates.
Good luck with your question.
Like the nickname.

Answer 10

Dear, you look much like a Star, what the need to have a name on a star map? Surely you have your stellar name printed in every cell of your body, and your heart sing it every day along...