Sirius. Capella. Mimosa. Aurora Rosci. Bellatrix. She. Polaris. Jessie Angel Girl. Menkalinam. What do these names have in common? They are all the names of the somr ot the twinkling bright lights we see in the night sky called “stars.” Created even before man and woman (according to the Creation story – see Genesis 1:14 KJV), the “lights in the firmament of the heavens” were brought into being.
Since human eyes first gazed upon their mystical splendor, stars have captivated our hearts and imaginations, inspired poets, evoked time travel speculation, and offered a sense of hope and peace to an otherwise troubled life. There’s nothing quite like the breath-taking experience of stepping out into the pitch blackness of a clear night and looking up to the expanse of stars shining overhead. No matter that scientists tell us they (the stars) may not even exist any longer, and that what we see are the gaseous remnants of a now-dead cluster of space debris.
Stars have inspired poets and composers for centuries; children spend hours trying to capture that perfect five-point doodle. Stars fill our eyes when love fills our hearts, whether romantic or dreams taking flight. Lovers unite and the cowboy experience comes alive beneath the stars as the heavens continue to turn in orbit, spinning a glorious stream of celestial allure through infinity.
Capitalizing on the potential profitability of this magnetic attraction, creative entrepreneurs have intrigued and invited the smitten to claim a piece of the cosmos through offering to sell plots of land on moons and planets, and by naming stars after loved ones. The notion is remarkable, to be sure, but the logistics are not yet feasible, since no human on earth can “own” a plot of land on the moon or any other planet, and technically cannot name stars or any other astronomical objects.*
But the idea is captivating! Have you ever thought about naming a star for a loved one, your children, spouse, parents, significant other, or other people near and dear to you? While the ethics may be questionable, the opportunities to name a star for someone are legal and easily accessible from a broad range of services now available through the Internet. There are numerous star registry sites, most charge a fee for their service but you may be able to do it for free by careful searching. What you receive consists of your designated star picked from the millions of stars in our galaxy, giving it the “name” you specify, a picture of your star in the heavens along with its coordinates, and printing an attractive certificate you can use to present your gift. The price tag can range from a few dollars into the hundreds of dollars for this service depending on what you choose to do. You won’t really "own" the star, but you will own the certificate and the gift will be the "idea" of naming the star for your loved one.
Think about who you would like to name a star for; would it be your mate? Your child, grandchild, or sibling? Your parent or grandparent? What about your best friend or favorite teacher who inspired you to reach for the stars? Naming a star for someone could be the ultimate symbol of love, for who would not want a heavenly body named for them? Love reaches beyond the hearts of the beloved to encompass all that has come before in the name of love and all that will come afterward. If someone loves you enough to name a star for you, your life is indeed blessed.
Before naming a star for someone, first consider who the recipient will be and why do they deserve a star to be named for them. This is a process that can be very special if you take it seriously – and it should be taken seriously! Make it memorable by spending some time thinking about your loved ones and why you love them. What makes them special to you – what makes them outstanding in your eyes and in your heart? When you submit your request, you will have an opportunity to write a message about the person and why you’re naming a star for them. It is an act of honor and love to name a star for someone. Plan a time when you will present the certificate. Make it a special event so both you and the receiver will remember it as long as their star shines.
Incorporate this into a party idea – have a star-naming party by inviting friends you think would like to name a star for someone. Have a celestial theme and name your food after stars or planets (such as Sirius Soufflé, Heavenly Hash, Dog Star Relish, Big Dipper Dip – you get the idea). Invite your guests to wear space-themed clothing or costumes. Have a computer available with Internet and e-mail access so people can name stars and generate their certificates during the party. Use your imagination to make it a party to remember (if the weather is good, you could have it outside “under the stars”)!
While no one can really name a star for posterity,* it is the thought that counts, and if you love someone enough to name a star for them, or receive a certificate for a star named for you, then your life has been blessed with love and you have much for which to be grateful. There are as many or more stars in the heavens as there are humans on Earth, so there are at least that many reasons to name a star for someone. Think about it. Who could you name a star after?
“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:41 KJV
*Only the International Astronomical Union (IAU, www.iau.org) can officially name stars, planets, or other astronomical objects. Visit their website to learn more about this process and other interesting facts! Read more about this in WIRED Magazine at http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2001/12/49345.
