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From: demillo@uwmacc.UUCP (Rob DeMillo)
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: Re:re:re: Female Planets
Message-ID: <1074@uwmacc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 14-May-85 19:08:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: uwmacc.1074
Posted: Tue May 14 19:08:04 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 16-May-85 21:01:29 EDT
References: <1305@drusd.UUCP> <57@utastro.UUCP>
Organization: UWisconsin-Madison Academic Comp Center
Lines: 54

> []
> > If you want to tip the balance, some observatories and planetariums will name a
> > star after you for a small donation.  It's one way they raise money.  There is
> > no need to rush.  There are plenty of stars to go around although many of the
> > better ones are already taken.
> > 
> A brief warning may be in order.  I know of no observatory or planetarium which
> will name a star after someone in return for a donation.  There may be some
> that do it as a gag,  *but* only the International Astronomical Union is
> authorized to name extraterrestrial objects and places (by international 
> treaty).  There are some ripoff artists who take peoples' money in exchange for
> naming stars after the person of your choice.  This has no legal standing.  If
> you look at the fine print you will find that what they really do is copyright
> a catalog which matches the chosen names with NGC numbers.  This does not mean
> that these names become the names of the cataloged stars.  It means no one
> else can copy the catalog with the names (but who would want to?).
> 
> "Don't argue with a fool.      Ethan Vishniac
>  Borrow his money."            {charm,ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}!utastro!ethan
>                                Department of Astronomy
>                                University of Texas

Welllllll.......

   It's not really a gag, and it's not really a rip off, but its
also not really naming stars....

   I was part of a group installing a planetarium in Northern Minnesota,
and what the committee decided to do for fund raising was to "sell 
stars." For certain donations, placks were placed in the planentarium
next to stellar object names with the donator's name next to that.
(We were "selling stars.") 
  The magnitude of the star that you got your name next to was proportional
to the amount given in donations. For example, Vega was given to a 
fellow for a $25,000, as was Sirius.  > +6 magnitude stars were
given to people who gave $10 - $100 donations, etc...

             
   Call it what you like...people loved it...


-- 
                           --- Rob DeMillo 
                               Madison Academic Computer Center
                               ...seismo!uwvax!uwmacc!demillo

 
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"...I don't know what this thing does, but it's pointing in your direction."