Buying A Star?

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Buying A Star?

The Hampshire Astronomical Group is occasionally asked by members of the public to view "their star" which they have purchased through a star registry company. The Group is acutely aware that sometimes these stars have been "purchased" in memory of a loved one and quite understandably there is a lot of emotion associated with this request. Our experience is that these stars, if they can be identified, are often so faint that they are not visible even through our most powerful telescopes, the result can be extremely disappointing and upsetting. Consequently, we find ourselves linked to a sense of responsibility for the discomfort.

Our advice is to see the comment on the International Astronomical Union website. The IAU is the official organisation responsible for naming astronomical bodies.

We sincerely hope you understand the reasons for decline.

Please follow the link to the IAU website https://www.iau.org/public/themes/buying_star_names/

 

Committee August 2023