Twinkling for Eternity: Buying a Star Name to Wish Upon

I recently got a letter from a couple asking for some help locating a particular star. Tragically, they had lost a child and in his memory, they had decided to name a star after him. They now wanted very much to see the star, and asked for my help. Unfortunately, all I could do was tell them the truth about the gimmick of purchasing star names.

The idea of naming a star after a loved one is emotionally inspiring, but that's only if you take what the various companies that sell these names say at face value and look no farther. The truth is: all you really get is an expensive piece of paper.

There are at least six companies who sell star names and all of them make it sound so official. Customers get fancy certificates and directions to find their newly named star. At about fifty dollars a name, the universe is being populated with unofficial star names by one unsuspecting person after another.

There is only one entity that can officially name stars (or any other celestial objects) and that is the International Astronomical Union (IAU.) The IAU does not recognize any commercially sold star names. In fact, the IAU has stated the following about selling star names: "The IAU dissociates itself entirely from the commercial practice of 'selling' fictitious star names." Astronomers accept the IAU as the official governing body, and star atlases and charts that both professional and amateur astronomer use are based on designations given by the IAU.

In general, the IAU gives number designations to stars because of the sheer number of objects. They do recognize a limited number of actual names, mostly ones which have survived since ancient times like Sirius, Polaris or Antares. But most stars have numbers and are located by a coordinate system. Lest you come away thinking the IAU is an organization of stuffy people, they do, in very special circumstances name some asteroids. All four of the Beatles have asteroids named after them and recently, the IAU named seven asteroids after the Columbia astronauts killed last February. The process to designate such names is an exhausting ordeal and it is in no way commercial.

Still, the companies which sell star names like to make their star catalogs sound official, it's better for business. Buried deep within some of their websites is a bit of truth when they refer to purchasing a star name as a "novelty item." That may be one way of describing it, but "unique gift" certainly doesn't apply. With at least six companies selling star names, one star may have many unofficial names.

And will your future generations be able to locate your eternally named orb in the night sky? Well maybe, if they purchase the star charts sold by that particular company and if they've got a good telescope and can find the coordinates. At least the companies do inform customers that they will need a telescope to locate their star, what they don't tell you is just how hard that can be. If you have a telescope which is computerized and can locate an object automatically by its coordinates, you might be ok, but most people don't have one.

So on average you spend about fifty dollars to unofficially name a star that's likely already had other names purchased for it. It is a star which you will need a good telescope (and some astronomical talent) to locate and don't expect ever to find your named star on any other star chart. For less money, you could buy a good book about the constellations with official star charts! Maybe that's not as romantic a gift, but it could spark a lifelong interest in the real night sky.

Constellations

The Solar System