Stars are beautiful, and they brighten up the sky all through the night. There is no couple that wouldn’t enjoy stargazing. Well, you might not be able to bring down the stars to your loved one, but you sure can name one after them. Undoubtedly, a star is an unforgettable gift. Each person would be overwhelmed with happiness about getting a bright star as a gift. What is more amazing, it doesn’t really cost a fortune to buy a star. The star prices will definitely surprise you. However, star cost depends on some aspects. Stay with us to find out the cost of buying a star.
Before we explain how much it can cost to name a star, let us walk you through the whole process of buying a star. When buying/naming a star, you will need to take some facts into account. Before you consider the star cost, you will want to follow the right procedure of buying/naming the star. Let’s explore that, shall we?
Consider the type of star you want. You need to know that stars come in different types, and you can either decide to go for a standard star, a binary star or one within a constellation, like Ursa Major
After you are sure of the type of star you want, you will need to pick a commercial company that will ‘sell’ you the star.
Choose your desired package and set your budget. The package offered by a star-selling company will offer you multiple options based on the type of star you choose and how much you’re willing to spend.
Personalize the star – give your star a name. Make sure you select a unique name for your star. Star naming might be challenging, but you’ll be able to give a really memorable gift to your darling.
Well, guess what? Naming/buying your star suggests preparing proper documentation. The company that sells you the star must provide you with a license that shows you have purchased the star, and that it is registered under your name.
Keep in mind that buying a star is not official. What does that mean? Well, your name will not specifically be listed in any files other than the star register of the specific company. The International Astronomical Union won’t recognize it.
We believe that it’s a great idea to give a star as a gift to someone special. A star is a meaningful gift, with a lasting value that won't fade within a couple of months. So how can you name a star on your own?
Here are several options for buying/naming a star:
This is the most common approach to buying/naming a star. Here, you will need to visit a recognized website, which will then help you name the star after yourself or someone else. In general, simply naming a standard star will cost roughly $50. When you log in to the website dedicated to selling stars, they will show you the exact position of the star in the sky. Most websites use Google Sky to help you locate the star.
Seeing is always believing. Although your star might be visible in the sky, many companies offer an extra gift to accompany it. You can get a physical gift that has an engraving of the star name on it. If you want to name the star and also have a physical gift, you should expect to pay anywhere above $100. For instance, you might choose to buy a physical star chart representation, a star map, a framed certificate, and other physical gifts.
Another way of securing or buying a star is becoming an astronomer. In this case, you will need to discover the star in the cosmos, study it deeply and offer a detailed explanation about its properties as an astronomer. You can forward the relevant properties of the star to the International Astronomical Union (IAU). If the IAU is impressed with your findings, you might get lucky and have the star named after you. In this case, you won’t need to pay for the star, but it will take your time, effort, knowledge, and necessary equipment, of course.
As we have already mentioned, if you are concerned about how much a star costs, you should know that the price will vary based on some factors.
So really, what is the cost for a star? For an ‘unofficial’ and IAU-unrecognized approach through various websites that provide you with a certificate, you would spend an amount raging from around $50 to $100+. As you see, if you wish to buy a star, cost is nothing in comparison with emotions you will give to your loved one.