Example Excerpt:
Q: But if I want to, can I buy the name of a star anyway?
A: Sure, there are people who will be more than happy to take your money....
Q: Can you tell me who and where?
A: Sorry, we are a scientific organization, not a branch of the entertainment industry. We cannot distribute addresses of enterprises selling fictitious goods.
Q: OK, I found a dealer myself; what will I get from them?
A: An expensive piece of paper and a temporary feeling of happiness, like if you take a cup of tea instead of the Doctor's recommended medicine. But at least you do not risk getting sick by paying for a star name, only losing money.
Layman's Guide to Naming Stars
The following lists some frequently asked questions and simple, informal answers about naming stars and other celestial bodies (for more serious scientific explanations, see the theme Naming Astronomical Objects):
A: The factual reason for giving an object a designation is to make it possible to find it again for further studies. Names are fine for small groups of well-known objects, like the planets or naked-eye stars, but useless for huge numbers - remember, we know hundreds of millions of stars! Precise coordinates (positions in the sky), possibly found via a catalogue number, provide an exact identification. The same is actually true for humans: Finding Maria Gonzalez in Argentina or John Smith in Britain just from their names is pretty hopeless, but if you know their precise address (perhaps from their social security number) you can contact them without knowing their name at all.
Q: But wouldn't it be fun anyway?
A: Some people might be amused while the present fashion lasts, but it would generate a system of mounting confusion for no factual reason. And this is the opposite of what taxpayers pay scientists to do.
Q: Who is legally responsible for naming objects in the sky?
A: The IAU is the internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and surface features on them. And names are not sold, but assigned according to internationally accepted rules.
Q: What does this mean in practice?
A: Simply this: Names assigned by the IAU are recognized and used by scientists, space agencies, and authorities worldwide. When observing stars and planets or launching space missions to them, or reporting about them in the news, everybody needs to know exactly which location a particular name refers to. The names assigned by the IAU are those that are used. These rules are firm where claims of property could theoretically be made, i.e. primarily in the solar system (where also treaties negotiated through the United Nations apply). Terrestrial makers of international law have so far had more urgent concerns than creating rules for "buying" totally inaccessible corners of infinite space, so there is no written text that can be twisted and interpreted - just a plain and practical fact.
Q: But if I want to, can I buy the name of a star anyway?
A: Sure, there are people who will be more than happy to take your money....
Q: Can you tell me who and where?
A: Sorry, we are a scientific organization, not a branch of the entertainment industry. We cannot distribute addresses of enterprises selling fictitious goods.
Q: OK, I found a dealer myself; what will I get from them?
A: An expensive piece of paper and a temporary feeling of happiness, like if you take a cup of tea instead of the Doctor's recommended medicine. But at least you do not risk getting sick by paying for a star name, only losing money.
Q: But that name is unique, I understand?
A: It will be likely unique in that company's name list. Otherwise you can probably sue them. But there are more than enough stars for everybody who wants to buy the name of one. However, no countries, authorities, or scientists in the world will recognize "your" name for the star. Nothing prevents your or any other dealer from selling "your" star to anyone else. And just think of all the other stars in the Universe that also have planets with smart business people on them...
Q: My friends tell me the name is preserved forever?
A: Sorry, also not: The name you paid for can be ignored, forgotten, or sold again to anyone else by anyone at any time.
Q: But the company says their name list is registered with the National Library - isn't that a guarantee for authenticity?
A: Sorry again: Anyone can (in fact usually must ) send a copy of any published book to the National Library. Giving the book a number doesn't mean that the Library approves the contents or checks that no companies "sell" the same star to different people.
Q: Surely the courts will recognize the name I have paid for?
A: Try to contact your lawyers. Chances are that they will either laugh their heads off or politely suggest that you could invest their fees more productively...
Q: But what about the companies that sell pieces of territory on the Moon and other planets? Those are within reach, we know, so surely I own the piece that I have bought?
A: See the answer to the previous question. As a minimum, we suggest that you defer payment until you can take possession of your property...
Q: The IAU pretends to be in charge of the sky - why don't you DO something about this??!
A: Sorry, much as we would like to, we are not under the illusion that the IAU can eradicate charlatanry: It has survived and thrived for countless centuries in many disguises - some far more dangerous than this particular example. All we can do is warn the public and try to prevent the abuse of our name and scientific reputation to mislead well-meaning customers.
Q: All this sounds negative and grouchy. I love the stars and a very special person and want to do something for him/her. What can I do ?
A: Lots! Go to your nearest planetarium or local amateur or professional observatory. They are staffed with people who feel just the same. They often have stores with books with wonderful astronomy pictures from the ground or from space, or fine astronomy magazines that all make great gifts. They can also direct you to the local astronomy club or society where enthusiasts will be happy to show you (and your friend!) the real stars through their own telescopes. Maybe you'll get infected and end up buying a telescope yourself?
But beware - those long nights outside can be both an inspiration and a strain on friendship, as many astronomer spouses can testify. So be sure to bring your very special person along to enjoy the starry skies with you; doing that has led to quite a number of astronomical marriages...
Alternatively, if you do wish to have a personal star but prefer to stay inside, you can now also explore the entire sky in the comfort of your own home: Digital sky surveys have become freely available on CD-ROM and can be ordered by anyone, e.g. from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (http://www.astrosociety.org/ ). This allows you to browse through many hundreds of millions of stars on your home computer and print out a chart of any one that pleases you. These public digital maps are in fact the main database of at least some of the commercial star naming enterprises and cost about the same as the name of a single star. So why pay a markup for buying your stars one at a time? Enjoy!
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