Look Up

Name a star.

Most of the stars we can see with our naked orbs have already been named, I suppose, and the rest, (though they may not have names) most likely have some sort of scientific designation, like ‘XY121’ so the astronomers don’t have to refer to them by saying things like, “You know... the star that rises over my neighbor’s garage roof at dusk in mid-winter...”

So... it occurred to someone that those nameless stars could do with some real names. And those real names could be sold for real money. Really. Yeah, I know. I couldn’t believe it either. But if you visit the International Star Registry on-line you will see that (for a price of $54 and up- depending on which ‘star package’ you choose) you can name a star.

Of course the scientific community will still always refer to your custom named star as ‘XY121‘ or some such thing, and the average ignorant sky gazer will always refer to it as ‘that one over there,’ but the name you have chosen for your special star will be registered in a book... on a shelf... somewhere...

Then again, you can just stand in your driveway looking up some night... and name all the stars... for free.