Name a star for FREE!

[Stub Mandrel]

At last a star naming catalogue that isn't a rip-off because it's free:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/stargazers-corner/staracle-name-a-star-free/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=sky-mya-nl-161202&utm_content=903220_SKY_HP_eNL_161202&utm_medium=email

 

[brantuk]

Good find - about time too. Let's hope it drives all the rip off merchants out there selling nothing for something out of business.

[laudropb]

Nice find.

[estwing]

Don't see the point myself...

[Putaendo Patrick]

If " Doppelsterne" means double star, I now have a certificate from the free German site commemorating my two favourite dogs, Napoleon and Josephine. Josephine is now dead, but Napoleon continues as my faithful companion. So the certificate is a bit of fun and I know it, pointless if you like, but my memories are sincere! Now, friends, don't get all weepy - I'm almost as hard as Chuck Norris 

Seriously however, I was recently looking at one of the paid sites - 10 quid, but they do send you a physical package. What surprised and saddened me were page after page of testimonials. Most of these were for very serious and tragic events in people's lives - the death of a child, partner or parent. I'm guessing that the majority of these customers bought their certificate in the belief these had some legitimate authority.

Perhaps it really doesn't matter if it gives them some consolation? But, I for one feel that in such moments of grief, people shouldn't be ripped off.

So, if these fun free certificate sites help to put the "fake" commercial sites out of business, I won't be sorry!

[johnfosteruk]

14 minutes ago, Putaendo Patrick said:

So, if these fun free certificate sites help to put the "fake" commercial sites out of business, I won't be sorry!

Hear hear

[estwing]

Still don't see the point....might as well name a tree...

[Putaendo Patrick]

2 minutes ago, estwing said:

might as well name a tree

People do! When Winston Churchill died, there was a campaign to plant a crab-apple tree in his memory - my mother did.

But, at least a tree is genuine - there's no con. Sites which try to convince you that their certificates have some legal authority are a fraud which preys on the susceptibility of people who it seems are in many cases emotionally distressed.

[Astrobits]

I had often thought that a free star naming site should be set up.

What surprised me is that this site went live in 2011. And there is another one mentioned in the article. Who knew?

Nigel

[Stub Mandrel]

It looks like you can pay for certificates etc. if you want to, but unlike the others you can just name it yourself and print off the details. Also tehy offer you various un-named stars, rather than letting you rename Vega as 'Star God Stub Destroyer of Worlds'

[Mr Spock]

I've been naming all the stars.

But I've named them all the same name, and there's terrible confusion...

[Scott]

11 hours ago, estwing said:

Don't see the point myself...

Mate, if your young fella misguidedly bought you one of these (or in this case got it for free) as a xmas gift, I'm absolutely sure you'd see the point. the value of any gift is in the giving  .

[JamesF]

Who's got "Starry McStarface" then?

James

[estwing]

1 hour ago, Scott said:

Mate, if your young fella misguidedly bought you one of these (or in this case got it for free) as a xmas gift, I'm absolutely sure you'd see the point. the value of any gift is in the giving  .

Make mine a double then!