Glittering Metropolis of Stars
The websites that offer free services for naming stars and the ones who are selling the right to name stars are simply allowing you to name stars in their database. No one else will be able to name the same star through the same company. You can name the same star as many times as you want by using different companies. Everyone is using the same database that once you name a star it is not removed from some all encompassing list. You simply take it off the market from one company.
The names of astronomical objects are governed by the International Astronomical Union. This group of astronomers from around the world meets every couple of years to vote and decide on issues that affect the astronomy community. They might decide on how to allocate research funding, or the naming of newly discovered objects, or the creation of a sub-group(dwarf planets). They are responsible for the official naming of a star. This organization has explained many times that they don’t recognize any names recorded by any outside agencies.
Despite the disclaimers in the previous two paragraphs, many people would like to name a star or gift the right to someone else. While it is pointless on one hand, it is an opportunity to think beyond yourself on the other. Buying and naming a star is not as much of a folly as some may think as long as you are aware that of the context.
Below are links to several articles that we have about buying and naming a star along with a few links to companies that provide the service. Hopefully, you find what you are looking for and, as always, enjoy your research.
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