Having a star named after you?

Question

Is this just a scam?

I've seen company's advertise this for gifts. For a number of $$'s you can have a star named for someone and they send you a certificate of where that star is, etc, etc.

How does this work if many companys around the world are doing it? Who "puts dibs" on certain parts of the galaxy, so other companys don't "sell" that star?

Not going to do it myself or for anyone else - just wondered how companys do this and if it was a scam?

Answer 1

gee would you even be able to see it?....

seriously whats the point it isnt like the star would be alpha centuri or anything

dont do it unless they invent a reasonable form of space travel in the next 50 years you will probably never get to see it.

besides why not go all out and get all the stars in a galaxy named after you.

Answer 2

Of course it is a scam. What right does a company have to name stars? Do they own them? Can they force anyone to use the names *they* sold? Astronomers use code that represent the location of the sky where the star is so that they can find it the next day; it is not an official name, it is a label.
The only objects that can be named are those that are *discovered* by the person giving the name, under guidelines. That is why comets are named after the person who discover them first. But even minor planets are named through an official system, the recently named Eris was before nicknamed Xena and Lila, but before it was named Eris, it was officially designated "2003 UB 313".

Those "star naming" companies are in the same business as those selling land on the moon: they have no right to sell anything, but they still take your money.

Answer 3

The International Astronomical Union is the only organization recognized by science as the official namer of celestial bodies. They do not accept payment for naming rights. The IAU is not a governmental entity, therefore anyone can enter star names into a book and have the book copyrighted. That does not make the naming official; it only serves as a warning to others not to plagiarize the book. The chosen stars are often duplicates of those recorded by other bogus companies. They are invariably too faint to be seen with naked eyes.

If you want to name a star after someone, then print up a nice certificate using a program such as Photoshop. Rename a star that can actually be seen. The personal touch should be appreciated. Just don't send money to a scammer.

Here's a link to a nice discussion of the matter on the message board of the Chicago Astronomer:

http://astronomer.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=currentdiscussions&thread=1164854885&page=1

And here are more links to other sources:

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/mystery_monday_030915.html
http://www.iau.org/IAU/FAQ/starnames.html
http://home.carolina.rr.com/nirgal/buyastar.html
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.309
http://www.ras.ucalgary.ca/~gibson/starnames/isr_news.html

Answer 4

The International Astronomical Union Names Stars, and no one else. Usually, if you read carefully, you will see that purchasing a star is simply some kind of fund raiser and there is a disclaimer saying that the star doesn't actually get to keep the name. Anyone telling you otherwise IS scamming you.

Keep in mind, though, that star naming is usually done to promote charities, like local planetariums, cancer societies, anything, really. So don't go calling the people selling them frauds... they are just providing a novelty for a donation (in most cases).

Answer 5

From what I've heard, companies publish their own books with the stars and the names that have been bought for them. Lots of companies, lots of books, lots of names for each star. I think it's a scam, but then no one owns the stars, so I guess the companies are free to do it.

Answer 6

Of course its a scam. The only organization with the authority to name stars is the International Astronomical Union.

Answer 7

I dont know much about it but my sister received one for her birthday years ago.. you receive this certificate with all of the information. I am sure that if you inquire with the company and do some research, it will be more useful than on here. My sister said that its real.... other than the certificate.... I dont know how you would know.

Answer 8

The naming of the stars is just what that company is stored in their systems. It is not globally recongised or scientifically sponsored.

In another word, it is just business scheme. It is not recognised by scientific world.

Answer 9

I have heard of it but I don't know how real it is & how they would pin point your star
but I think it is such a beautiful romantic thing if your love one loved you that much to have a star named after you