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[Centaur]

Do not be misled by ads asking you to send money to name a star. The International Astronomical Union is the only organization recognized by astronomers as the official registry for the names of celestial bodies. They accept no payment for their services.

Throughout history, governments have understood that the naming of scientific matters is the province of scientists and not legislators. In recent years some unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of government laxity by offering to allow the public to name stars in return for cash. They have no official authority to do so.

Competing firms will often duplicate the naming of a star. The assigned stars are normally invisible to the naked eye. The firms self-publish vanity books in which they list star coordinates next to assigned names. The books are copyrighted, which is not in any way the seal of approval by the US govenment. It merely offers proof of publication to discourage copying of the book. Nevertheless, the scammers try to sell the book as an extra for those who pay to name stars.

If you want to unofficially name a star after a relative, then print up a pretty certificate. Don't overpay for someone else to do the same thing.

Click the link below to read the IAU's comments on this matter:
www.iau.org/IAU/FAQ/starnames.html

[Al Degutis]

I do not advocate paying for the naming of stars for the very reasons that Centaur pointed out. But let me offer this advice...

If a loved one presents you with such a certificate don't give them a lecture about what a waste of money that was and explain that only the IAU can name a star. Don't make them feel like they screwed up. Just like you wouldn't point out the mistakes in a gift from your first grader. They mean well. If they are not into astronomy as we are, they are more likely to fall for those ads. They are showing how much they care about you to get you something unique and astronomy related. As Rod Molisse points out in his SkyWatch Newsletter (Summer 2004 edition):

"the selling of star is a bit of humbug, but the BUYING of them is an act of love, and this poor old planet sure could do with a little more of that."

skywatch.brainiac.com/swsummer04.pdf

I agree that the public should be educated, just don't hurt the feels of those with good intention in the process.

[Centaur]

Al, of course you are absolutely right. I'm glad you brought that up. But I reported this as a prophylactic, a preventative. Once you have received such a gift, there is no cure. You just grin and say, "Thank you."

A tiny firm, the International Star Registry, has sold well over a million of these star namings at about $50 dollars for the basic package and more than double for those who order the extras (which most of them do). Their only real expense is advertising. The owner has gotten filthy rich on the gullibility of others. Click link:

www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,49345,00.html

The radio stations look the other way as they rake in their shares. It's particularly sad that many of these stars have been named for deceased loved ones, often children. But the hucksters don't care. It doesn't help if we offer them passes.

Victims of a scam usually go into denial once they learn the truth. Even if they accept reality, they will nevertheless make excuses for the perpetrator. This keeps the game going. It's really only we knowlegeable non-victims who can at least put up speed bumps by spreading the word.

We astronomers need to be beacons of light. We won't have to pretend that a foolish gift is marvelous if we provide early warnings to our friends and relatives. If anyone really wants to name a star after someone, I heartily recommend that he do his own research on the star and create a beautifully designed certificate. Having put our own effort into such a project would be far more meaningful than giving money to a con artist to do it for us.

[Al Degutis]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. In fact, a couple of months ago I addressed this with my wife. She's a wonderful, loving spouse and even as smart as she is, I was concerned that she'd fall for this con. So, I explained it to her well in advance of the gift giving season. I didn't want to wait too long and run the risk of my wife getting me this "gift".

Since the gift giving season is upon us, my point was to handle this issue with care, not ignore it, so as not to hurt those close to us. Again, I back you 100%. We need to educate the public so they don't get scammed in the name of Astronomy.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Somewhere here, I addressed this item very early in the forum's life. In the inquiry, it was asked if any of the places that advertise this are any good...and will it indeed name a star.

Well, the advise was the same as you two gents stated. There is also a man who has been selling parcels of the Moon for some time now, as he speculates that the space treaty states that no nation will lay claim to the Moon, but says nothing about private individuals. Ergo, he's in the Moon Real Estate business.

Yes..stay away from these people, and if you do receive one...enjoy it.

I want the area around Crater Daedalus, on the far side of the Moon, as I don't want constant scutiny from Earth!

[Al Degutis]

Chicago said:

I want the area around Crater Daedalus, on the far side of the Moon, as I don't want constant scutiny from Earth!

But land-based telescopes can't resolve the level of detail necessary to be a peeping tom. I'd want a spot on the far side of the moon so I can set up a telescope without having to worry about the Earthshine limiting my dark skies.

[stargazer]

Hi Guys,

Triton sells something just like this for a grand for the fullpackageinclyding a chart to tellyou where the star is at. I know this is such a huge scam but long ago a friend got me one. and he paid extra to pick the star. He got me the star in the tipof Scorpius. He said it was the stinger just like me. Oh well I dont even have the paperwork anymore. But when I look at the star I do think of him.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

But when I look at the star I do think of him.

And isn't that the real gift? Two of our members here have designated astronomical points for their wives, and that's cool.

Today with the advent of DTP software, it's now a cinch to dedicate anything to anyone...and it doesn't have to cost a cent...and more personal.

Where's the Chicago Astronomer astrism Located?

[Centaur]

Here is a link to a warning from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs:
www.ras.ucalgary.ca/~gibson/starnames/isr_news.html