The truth about the service of naming a 'star' after your idol

In fact, the practice of paying for planet names has never been recognized.

Star naming services are quite popular internationally and in Vietnam, with prices ranging from $5-199 per name. However, experts claim that this activity is only for entertainment and is not officially recognized by astronomical organizations. Dubai's Khaleej Times even claimed that the service 'has elements of fraud' in an article in May 2024.

Who named the star?

According to the Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association (VACA), stars in the sky all have scientific names, usually a series of letters and numbers for researchers to record their positions. For example, HR 7001, 2MASS J18365633+3847012.

In some countries, special stars have their own names, also known as folk names. For example, in Vietnam, Venus in the Solar System has two names: Sao Mai and Sao Hom. In Greece, the brightest star in the sky is called Sirius.

Star names are valid only when they are recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) . This is a federation of astronomical societies around the world. The IAU currently has 9,598 individual members, mainly astronomers with a doctorate or higher, and 63 national members.

The English name of Venus is Venus, which is also the name of the goddess of love and beauty in ancient Roman mythology. (Photo: Scienceabc).

The IAU has a subsidiary body, the Working Group on Planetary Classification (WGPSN) , whose mission is to establish astronomical naming conventions, proper names, and planetary classifications. However, for a proper name of a planet to be recognized, the WGPSN must conduct extensive research from cultures around the world and then submit it to the IAU Executive Board for approval. The name is only approved when it ensures cultural and astronomical significance.

Sharing on its official website, the IAU said that the agency often receives requests to buy and sell names for stars. However, the association affirmed that it does not provide this service and that such 'names' have no scientific or legal value.

'As an international scientific organization, the IAU is completely separate from the "trading" of star names or the sale of real estate on planets. The association also does not support the naming of stars for commercial or personal purposes , ' the association wrote on its website.

'Picking stars' to give to idols

In early 2024, a Saudi man became famous for claiming to give his wife a star in the sky. Khaleej Times later interviewed Mr. Hassan Al Hariri, director of Dubai Astronomy Group to clarify the matter.

'This is nothing more than a scam,' Mr Hariri said. 'Stars cannot be bought or sold and the concept of naming a star with a certificate is misleading and false.'

According to him, some websites and advertisements trick Dubai residents into buying stars for prices as high as $1,000. They even give victims certificates claiming ownership and naming the star.

One of the first companies to offer star naming services was the International Star Registry , which has been in business since 1979. They select small, identified stars in the galaxy that do not yet have names and sell them for an average of $50 per naming. The company then sends customers a certificate and a map showing the star's detailed location and brightness.

After her death, Princess Diana was honored with two stars named after her by her fans. Many famous people in the world such as Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise also have names similar to some stars.

VACA considers the sale of stars to be purely 'entertainment' as they are not recognised by any astronomical organisation. The name of the star that has just been given to the customer is only valid on the information page of the service provider.

'Like all the great things in life, the beauty of the night sky is not for sale. Everyone has the right to enjoy it for free. The real gift a star can bring is its beauty in the night sky , ' the IAU wrote in a statement affirming that it has no business naming stars.