(Don't) Name a star
Two years ago I wrote about companies that let you name stars. It is one of the more popular posts on my blog with many finding it after searching for star naming online. Many of the comments I have received on that post are from people who have bought or have been bought 'star names'. They are generally of the view that 'it is only a bit of fun' and think I need to 'chill out'.
My comments on that post were really written from the frustration of having to deal with the fall-out of the star naming business. I get grieving people asking me about the star named after their relative. I try to be a gentle as possible with those people and encourage them to look at the night sky while trying to explain that it is really just a novelty item. People do not like to think that the deep and meaningful gift they've been bought (and they are meant in a deep and meaningful way by the purchaser) was a novelty item. I don't blame them. I hold the star naming companies responsible.
Stuart (no, not me) over at Cumbrian Sky has written an excellent post on star naming. He has had similar experiences to me and really does a good job of explaining why I find it so reprehensible. I encourage you to read the full article.
Comments: (Don't) Name a star
thanks for posting this
i was thinking of naming a star after brother who has just past away. for his daughter.
but the thought of her growing up only to realise its just a scam could of caused problems. to lose her daddy then her daddys star would of been terible
thankyou
damnedfairy
Posted by damned fairy on Friday 18th Jul 2008 (12:48 UTC)
Was going to name a star for my new born. I wondered how it worked, now I know. It doesnt. Thanks I would have felt a fool everytime i looked up at night!
Posted by charlken on Tuesday 25th Nov 2008 (21:36 UTC)
For the love of god get a grip. Its a nice way to have something a bit different and special. If people are really convinced a star is named they have bigger problems than just being upset when they find out it isnt.
Posted by Ashley on Tuesday 16th Dec 2008 (15:45 UTC)
I think its really sad, i recently lost my mum who i miss greatly, and for my dad iam having a star named after her, this will give him comfort im sure, and i dont care wether it is a scam as long as it helps, as the man said get a grip.
Posted by jayne ledsham on Friday 02nd Jan 2009 (16:41 UTC)
Posted by Stuart on Friday 02nd Jan 2009 (17:40 UTC)
iv just lost my brother and my children have been told that uncle kev is in the sky on a star, so to have kevs name on a star will be very special
Posted by paul on Saturday 03rd Jan 2009 (00:02 UTC)
Perhaps my complaint is not clear. I get put in a position of either lying to the recently bereaved or upsetting them. Having had plenty experience of bereavement myself, and having seen relatives buy stars for others, I don't want to do either of those things. I dislike the star naming companies for putting me in the position of lying or upsetting people.
I do not understand why I am not allowed to be angry at these companies.
Posted by Stuart on Saturday 03rd Jan 2009 (02:25 UTC)
if people really believe they can name a star for real for 20 pounds then they are daft,
i guess if people pay hundreds of pounds for this then its a con and morraly awful
but the emotional well being it can bring is worth every penny
Posted by paul on Monday 05th Jan 2009 (23:52 UTC)
Surely, if people realise that you can't really name a star after them, their emotional well-being is not going to benefit from this gift is it? They'll just feel faintly embarrassed; I do. I've had two stars named after me by well meaning friends, and I can't bring myself to hang the certificate on the wall, it's too cringe-making. On the other hand, I don't want to break their hearts and tell them they were conned.
Look, send me £20 and I'll rename one of my neighbours for you. No-one else will know their new names, but I'll make a book and hide it in the local library. Then you can feel all mushy inside.
Posted by Matt Shewbridge on Sunday 08th Feb 2009 (22:18 UTC)
well my daughter may be getting adopted and really wanted to give her something special as friend told me about this i figured some think wasn't right at the low cost i also write fiction and it would been good to have a real star in my work these companies should be strait and up front did find one that said there it wasn't legal or recognized but others failed to do so this is morally wrong i would been up for naming a whole loads of stars my friend swore blind it was recognized officially as i found it hard to believe that astrologers would have to use these names peoples, i now feel i should tell my friend that all she has is a lovely looking gift, but i doubt i will as this probably upset her as her son is into astrology one day he will he will find out that his star is not real so as for getting a grip think of him as he really keen on astrology and has told all his friends
Posted by wraith night on Sunday 05th Apr 2009 (23:00 UTC)
Does anyone know the best site for naming a star, because im in the UK and theres quite a few, i guess that the star registry is the best one to go with? anyone?
Posted by JackPacman on Thursday 16th Apr 2009 (11:11 UTC)
I think that its good to name a star in the sky for someone because it makes your loved ones that how much you care them. Here is a website"buyastarforsomeone(dot)com", which would realize you the importance of this gift.
Posted by Danny on Wednesday 22nd Apr 2009 (16:55 UTC)
I think that its good to name a star in the sky for someone because it makes your loved ones that how much you care them. Here is a website(buyastarforsomeone.com), which would realize you the importance of this gift.
Posted by Danny on Wednesday 22nd Apr 2009 (16:56 UTC)
Here in Australia you can name a star via the Sydney Observatory and as they make clear, they are a non-profit organisation and the price you pay for the naming is fully tax deductible and goes toward the running of the Observatory. I would think gifts like this are more appropriate for children rather than adults for special events, eg, I was considering this for my godson-to-be, but the price is a bit prohibitive in the current economic climate, even when you know it's going to fund the Observatory and is tax deductible!
Posted by Mel C on Monday 27th Apr 2009 (22:20 UTC)
Pay for something, don't pay for something... it's your money. Express your love or feel duped... they're your emotions. Name a star, don't name a star... ultimately, it's up to you. However this debate will end, what you do is your business anyway. Happy star naming... or not. :)
Posted by anne on Tuesday 12th May 2009 (15:05 UTC)