Buying A Star?

It is difficult to say enough bad things about this practice---not about the buying part, but rather the selling part. Technically, none of the places that purport to sell you a star/star name are actually doing so. What they are selling you is the right to have your name and your star name published in a book which is registered withe U.S. Copyright Office. Uhm, most books that are published are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Oh yes, and they will give you a nice piece of fake parchment with your star name as a receipt. If you are looking for a novelty gift, that's all well and good and I don't want to stop you. But if you think you were about to buy (or perhaps already bought) anything with some official standing, read anon....

• Buying A Star FAQ is maintained by Jim Craig and has some useful information what you can and can't do. There are also useful links to other information (including the links below) on star naming.
• Star Names provides a short explanation by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the official keeper of real star names about how stars are and are not named.
• The International Planetary Society also has information on star naming practices.