I was trying to research on naming a star, but I found a few places. Is there one that is the best, or even just one that is the only. I am a little iffy, because I wouldn't think that multiple places could have that control.
2007-11-27 03:22:03 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
You mean the several organizations where you can BUY a star name?
Most of these a scams--------- several members of our Astronomy club bought stars for their children and or relatives. Now the club owns several LARGE 16-20 inch telescopes------- however the stars were not visible at the exact coordinates given? Does this mean it is definitely a scam-------- NO------- but buying and naming a star that is Magnitude 20 or less puts it outside the range of almost any amateur telescope and most University 20 inch or greater telescopes. So you probably really cannot ever see what you just purchased.
2007-11-27 03:32:21 · answer #1 · answered by Bullseye 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of places on the Internet where you can have a star named a name of your choice if you pay a few dollars.
But you should know that none of these places has any official status. The organization that regulates the naming of celestial objects is the IAU, and they do not recognize any of the companies that offer to name stars for a fee.
So it's mostly a scam. Aside from people who read the company's newsletter, nobody will know that you have named anything.
2007-11-27 03:34:48 · answer #2 · answered by Peet 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The only organization that has the official right to name stars is the International Astronomical Union, and they don't name them after people. So yes, any other group offering to sell you a star is a scam or only for 'entertainment purposes'.
Also, you don't get to name a star after yourself even if you discover it. People are seeing new stars every day with big telescopes. If they are cataloged, they are given a number by the IAU. The only things you can name after yourself if you discover them are comets and planetary nebulae.
2007-11-27 05:20:38 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When a new star is found, the person who first discovers it often gets naming rights, the same with comets.
unfortunately a lot of stars have just got a series of letters and numbers. many of them were found by the Hubble telescope, and others.
once a scientist has named a star after themself, then their husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend, then parents and children, you can start to run out of ideas for names.
But its normally the first to see the star gets to name it
2007-11-27 03:38:41 · answer #4 · answered by steven m 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋