The night sky is a beautiful and mysterious sight, with stars that twinkle and dance as we gaze upon them. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own a star in the sky? It is now possible to purchase a star — or at least name one after you or someone special. But before you buying a star, let’s explore what’s involved and how you can make sure that your purchase is authentic. 

What Does Buying a Star Involve? 

The process of buying a star is fairly straight forward. You typically have to choose the constellation in which you would like your star to exist, then pick the star itself from within that constellation. After you make your selection, the company will assign a name for it that is registered with an international database of named stars. The naming document will also include details about your purchase, such as its coordinates and other characteristics so that it can be identified by scientists if they chose to study it.  

Once you have named your star, the company will usually provide you with a certificate of ownership. This document serves as proof that the star is legally yours and can be used for display purposes or to commemorate special occasions. Additionally, some companies may also offer extras like a map showing where your star is located in the night sky, an engraving of its name, and/or a star chart.

In addition to buying and registering your own star, some companies offer other services such as providing custom-made certificates and maps of where they believe your star lies within its constellation. You might also receive other gifts related to your purchase such as astronomy books or gifts related to space exploration. 

Is Buying a Star Official? 

Now here’s the million dollar question — does buying a star make it officially yours? The short answer is no; since no one can actually own something in outer space legally speaking, purchasing one does not automatically confer any legal rights over it. That being said, if you buy from an internationally recognized organization such as International Star Registry (ISR), then your purchase should be recognized by both amateur astronomers and professional ones alike since ISR has been cataloguing stars since 1979 and their database contains more than 2 million stars. According to their website, “When astronomers search for stars through their telescopes, many times they locate stars listed in our catalog!” By selecting an established company with an established track record like ISR, you can rest assured that your purchase will be respected by both amateurs and professionals alike.  

Buying a star can be an exciting way to honor someone special or commemorate an important moment in time. However, before making the leap into stardom there are certain considerations worth taking into account first — most importantly ensuring that the company from whom you are purchasing is reputable so that your purchase will be taken seriously by professional astronomers too.