Lincoln (Neb.) - Dec. 10, 1999 - Every holiday season, planetariums and observatories are questioned by the public about stars they have "bought" or "received" as holiday gifts, said Jack Dunn, coordinator of Mueller Planetarium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Unfortunately, Dunn said, they might as well have "purchased" Chimney Rock.
There are several "star-naming" companies which engage in heavy advertising blitzes around holidays, but no one owns the stars, the planets or any other heavenly body, Dunn said. He explained that anyone can "sell" stars, but the sale carries no standing in the astronomical community or anywhere else. Official names for astronomical objects and features on other planets are given by the International Astronomical Union. These are the only names recognized in the professional astronomical community and they're not for sale through the IAU or anywhere else.
Dunn said the Office of Consumer Affairs in New York has even issued a statement warning consumers against such offers. He said details of the statement are available on the Mueller Planetarium Web site (http://www.spacelaser.com/astro/starscam.html). The IAU Web site has a statement on star naming (http://www.iau.org/starnames.html) and additional information is available on the Web site of the Prairie Astronomy Club (http://www.salamander.com/~wmcclain/buystar.html).
"If anyone chooses to send money to any of these advertised star-naming companies, they should understand that the product has only amusement and entertainment value," Dunn said. "It's not an official name and the only record of it is in the company's sales receipts.
"A far better way to spend your $50 would be the gift of a good astronomy book to a school or public library - this can also be a fine memorial, it that is what you are seeking."
In the meantime, Dunn said, "Go out and enjoy the stars.
Share the experience with friends and loved ones. The heavens are
free to all who see them."
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