Reputable Star Naming

buffykins

Hi, I'm looking to purchase a star naming gift for a friend. When I realised the certificate from the company I was looking at included the word 'astrinomical' I got a tad suspicious. It looks like there are numerous people selling off their own register of stars. I wondered if anyone had any experience of purchasing stars and knew of a decent company that's not charging a fortune? It's a bereavement gift so I need to get this right.
Thanks

midnightraven3

Is there such a thing?

If you pay money to “name a star”, the only place, the star will have your chosen name is on the company you buy froms database. No astronomers will ever refer to it by that name and no observatory anywhere in the world will ever recognise or use that name.

you may end up paying to "name a star" that isnt even visable to you

baxie

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007TV4KYU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

I bought this for Christmas. Nice presentation box. If I remember correctly they make sure the star you "name" is in your hemisphere, but you really need to use software - Google Earth, Stellarium to really see the star,

Of course you will be aware that you are not actually naming a star, you are paying to get a certificate and whatever else is in the pack, but as a gesture it is fantastic.

buffykins

Thank you! I know it's a gesture gift rather than anything of substance. Some of these online companies are charging in the £100's though and the certificates look like something my seven year old could knock up and probably do a better job. Appreciate the link

cazpumpkin

A few years ago I printed off an online certificate for my daughter and it was free of charge. Just Google free name a star. Best of luck it's a lovely idea. my daughter loved her certificate.

System

I have bought one recently for my daughter Very do one for £10 , it comes with a certificate /map and some other info.

C_Mababejive

Just name a start and design/print your own certificate..why pay someone?

vikki_louise

This is a very good article about naming stars https://cumbriansky.wordpress.com/2010/10/30/two-things-not-to-buy-for-christmas/