The International Astronomical Union frequently receives requests from individuals who want to buy star names or name a star after other persons. Some commercial enterprises purport to offer such services for a fee. However, such "names" have no formal or official validity whatever: A few bright stars have ancient, traditional Arabic names, but otherwise stars have just catalogue numbers and positions on the sky. Similar rules on "buying" names apply to star clusters and galaxies as well. For bodies in the Solar System, special procedures for assigning official names apply, but in no case are commercial transactions involved.

That's the scientists viewpoint

Who would now buy something they will never really own, can't touch, visit and have no chance of ever doing so? in fact they can only ever see their purchase and that's because what many people are buying everyday is real estate in space and even then as the statement above illustrates the "officials" wont recognize it and truth be known we don't really own it, how could we?

Does it really matter though? I don't think so and nor do the many people who have, are and will be naming a star in the future. Naming a star is a unique gift and one that gives the recipient a lot of pleasure. What can compare to looking to heaven and finding the star bearing your name, naming a star can be for any occasion for somebody special.

Naming a star is a stunning, imaginative gift and one can be individually personalized for any occasion!! When you name a star for someone special it puts your message in the night sky, it's an everlasting gift that shows you care.

Why name a star?

For every star in the night sky there is a reason why you might want to name a star for someone special in your life. It's the sentiment that is represented by the gift, whatever its nature, which is important. naming a star leaves a permanent and very personal message in the most beautiful of settings, the night sky.

Luckily we are not all scientists and romance is not dead so if you want a gift idea that is really unique consider naming a star for someone you love.