The issue is not to have a star by which to remember people. The issue is these companies are selling nothing apart from a pretty certificate. The name the company gives to the star is no more valid than if you privately named it yourself. Yet they are giving the impression to the punters that because they've paid $50 (!), all of a sudden it has some kind of legitimacy.
I've been reading the
British office.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by The con men
The star data and newly-given name are sent to our head office in the USA for inclusion in the international register of star names and co-ordinates Your Place in the Cosmos. This is published periodically and Volume VI, currently in preparation, will list all stars and their names registered since August 1999. In addition to the register, the book contains a wealth of astronomical information. Star-namers are notified when the book is published. Copies are also deposited at the Library of Congress in the USA and the British Library in the UK.
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They cannot possibly argue that their service involves choosing some star for them to love and cherish. They are definitely giving the impression that the naming is legitimate. I remember a few years ago, the Liquid Helium Queen Anne Robinson hosted
Watchdog, a consumer awareness programme, designed to trash on companies that deliver a crap service. There was a section on a star naming company, probably this one, where they pointed out that anyone can publish a book in these types of libraries. That doesn't mean it is IAU approved. Sir Patrick also appeared to trash the company.