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Skykept

Can you really name a star? What “name a star” gifts actually are

Every year people ask whether you can buy or name a star as a gift. The honest answer: only the International Astronomical Union (IAU) assigns official star names, and it says names sold by private companies have no official validity. A “star registry” records your name in its own list — astronomers won’t use it. If you want a star gift that is real, here are better options:

  1. A star map of a real night

    Not a purchased name — the actual stars over the place and time that matter to you, with your names on the poster. Nothing to “register”; it’s simply the real sky. From $14.99 at myskykept.com. See your sky free →

  2. A night at an observatory or planetarium

    Many run public nights — see real stars through a big telescope.

  3. A trip to a dark-sky park

    Find one near you on the DarkSky International map.

  4. A pair of binoculars

    7×50 or 10×50 binoculars are the classic first stargazing tool.

  5. A planisphere

    A rotating star wheel for their latitude — works for life.

  6. A meteorite fragment

    An actual piece of space, with a certificate of origin from a reputable dealer.

Tip: If someone has their heart set on “their star”, a star map lets you point to real stars that were overhead on their night — no certificate needed.

Questions

Is buying a star real?

You can buy a certificate, but the name is not official. The IAU is the only body that formally names stars.

Can I see the star I named?

Registries assign real stars from catalogues, but the name exists only in their own records.

What is a meaningful alternative?

A star map of a real night — the exact stars over your wedding, first date or a birth.

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