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I have been looking online for a service that registers star names as gifts to people. I understand that no such naming would be recognized by the science community but would like to know which if any of these online star registries are legit. Is there an official record of names called either, "Universal Star Catalog" or "International star registry records?" Who can I trust as far as getting a star named for someone?
PS. I know this might be outside the kind of question you'd normally answer.
Hello.
Star names are normally assigned and determined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and none of them are commercially "for sale".
These other entities are simply creating or inventing a registry that's not recognized by any professional astronomers.
What they've done is created a clever niche idea, from which to profit - but doesn't really confer any genuine recognition. (Though it does confer money on the "proprietors"!)
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 9 | Clarity of Response = 9 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for the info-my header was meant for another question to someone else,though-my mistake | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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