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Conference hydra::dejavu

Title:	Psychic Phenomena
Notice:	Please read note 1.0-1.* before writing
Moderator:	JARETH::PAINTER

Created:	Wed Jan 22 1986
Last Modified:	Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2143
Total number of notes:	41773

1365.0. "I'D LIKE TO BUY A STAR" by JJLIET::JUDY (Ladies with an attitude) Wed Sep 26 1990 12:23

    
    	I wasn't sure where to put this but I figure DEJAVU would
    	be a good place to start.
    
    	I have heard that it is possible to 'buy' a star for someone.
    	By that I mean, a company (or somesuch) for a sum of money will
    	let you pick a star out of the solar system and name it after
    	someone. ie: deceased relative or a close friend.
    
    	I've heard about this a couple of times and now that Christmas
    	is around the corner, I thought this would be a unique gift
    	for a couple of close friends.
    
    	Has anyone ever heard of this?  If so, do you know where I
    	might go or who to talk to about this and maybe how much
    	something like this would cost?
    
    	Thanks
    
    	JJ

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1365.1	try Astronomy	BLKWDO::MERRICK	Twilight Zonie	`Wed Sep 26 1990 12:34`	6
	I found some notes on it in LDPSCI::ASTRONOMY. It's something I still want to do for my kids, but those notes sort of put me off. They do give addresses for places that do it. Ellen
1365.2	It's a ripoff	ACETEK::TIMPSON	Eat any good books lately?	`Wed Sep 26 1990 14:45`	4
	Don't it is a ripoff. If you want more on the subject go to the Astronomy notes file. Steve
1365.3		BSS::VANFLEET	A hypothetical destination...	`Wed Sep 26 1990 15:53`	7
	My Mom bought a star for my ex-stepfather one year for Christmas. I'll see if she still has the information. As I recall you get a map of the area where the star is and the star is "named" after you. Nanci
1365.4	Maybe this is a better source	SYSTMX::ESOMS	Joanne Peachwall, DTN 249-1410, BUO/E-15	`Wed Sep 26 1990 20:10`	5
	The Museum of Science in Boston also has something about purchasing a star. Believe it's $25 to do it but I'm not sure where the money goes. Joanne
1365.5	Before you wast your money	ACETEK::TIMPSON	Eat any good books lately?	`Thu Sep 27 1990 09:26`	12
	I would suggest that you read notes 234 and 755 in LDPSCI::ASTRONOMY before you purchase a star. The IAU or International Astronomical Union is the only organization that can legally name a star and have it used in any astonomical publications. The International Star Registry which is selling stars cannot. Also all of the visible stars have already been named or numbered and so the IRS is naming stars that are not visible (too dim) to the naked eye. Think before you leap Steve
1365.6	It should be just for fun	REGENT::BROOMHEAD	Don't panic -- yet.	`Thu Sep 27 1990 13:33`	7
	It's a fund-raising technique -- when used by legitimate charitable organizations such as the Boston Museum of Science. We "bought" stars for our Guests of Honor, Kate Wilhelm and Damon Knight, for Noreascon II. It was a hack, we knew it was a hack, they knew it was a hack, and everyone was happy. Ann B.
1365.7	That may be so but...	ACETEK::TIMPSON	Eat any good books lately?	`Thu Sep 27 1990 15:07`	8
	That may be so but the ISR as mentioned in .5 is in it for the bucks and that makes it a major ripoff. They charge $35 and you get a plaque with a chart showing the location of your star. You'll never find it unless you have a telescope and spend hours comparing stars in your field of view with a good star chart. If someone wants to do it then fine just remember that what you get for your money is a plaque that is worthless and means nothing. Steve
1365.8	...meaning what?!	NSDC::SCHILLING		`Fri Sep 28 1990 05:45`	6
	re -1 ...how 'bout you can give it any meaning you want to? That's all we do with everything anyway! Myself, I think it's a great idea! Buying a star!! *^) Paul