: While reputable private registries promise not to sell the same star twice within their system, another company could easily sell the "naming rights" for that same star to someone else.
: Most services use official databases (like those from the European Space Agency) to ensure the coordinates they give you correspond to a real, existing star in the sky. Popular Symbolic Gift Options how to buy a star nasa
The only internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies is the , and they never sell star names. Official star names are established through historical usage or specific scientific guidelines, and since 2022, the IAU has strictly prohibited naming stars after individuals. : While reputable private registries promise not to
If you decide to proceed with a symbolic gift, several retailers offer packages that include certificates and star-finding tools: Policies and Frequently Asked Questions - NASA Official star names are established through historical usage
You officially buy or name a star through NASA . NASA is a government space agency focused on research and exploration, not commercial star registries.
When you "buy a star," you are essentially paying a private company to enter a name into their internal database and provide you with a gift package.
: These names are not recognized by NASA, the IAU, or the scientific community. Astronomers will continue to refer to the star by its official alphanumeric designation (e.g., HD 168746).