How to Buy a Star for Someone?

You can name a star via the International Star Registry (ISR) found at www.starregistry.com. This unique service can make for a thoughtful, personalized gift or gesture for someone special. 

First, visit the ISR website and explore the range of packages they offer. Each package provides different features. For example, some might include a parchment certificate of the star’s designation, its coordinates, and its home constellation. Others may offer additional items, like a sky chart depicting the star’s location in the cosmos. They even offer a plush toy for children. 

Once you have chosen your desired package and made your payment, you will be asked to supply the name that you wish to associate with a star. After providing this name, it is incorporated into ‘Your Place in the Cosmos‘. This ISR publication is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office and contains the only copyrighted list of named stars worldwide. It’s important to remember, however, that the copyright protects the publication, which does not have scientific recognition. 

The act of symbolically associating a star’s name with someone special through the ISR is a deeply sentimental gesture. Though the names lack scientific or legal recognition, they hold profound personal significance for many, making it a popular choice for commemorating special events or expressing affection. 

To further delve into the science of stars and astronomy, Wikipedia hosts a variety of comprehensive articles on these subjects. 

To sum up, the process of ‘buying’ a star for someone is more accurately described as symbolically associating a name with a star via the ISR and www.starregistry.com. While not officially recognized by astronomers, this practice holds a powerful emotional resonance that many value greatly. 

Sources: 

• Starregistry.com 
• Wikipedia: Star Naming 
• U.S. Copyright Office 
• International Astronomical Union