It's that time of year again - I am being bombarded by ads over the internet and radio to "name a star after someone." These guys claim that you can choose the name for a star, but of course this carries no official bearing at all - only the International Astronomical Union actually determines the official names for celestial objects.

So I suggest that if you feel inclined to send these guys $50 to have a star named after someone, stop - instead you should send me $40 and I'll be glad to name a country after your loved one instead! Isn't it more impressive to have a country named for your loved one instead of a star that you can never see? Is $40 too much? OK, then for only $30 I'll name a town or a state instead. And I'll throw in a map that shows where your town, state, or country is located, suitable for framing. Any takers? ;)

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That is all.

Why?. can't think of a better reason than vanity. Assuming you discount stupidity right off the start.

Not to mention, they're invisible without a moderately powerful telescope!

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Originally Posted by OneDude79

Not to mention, they're invisible without a moderately powerful telescope!

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Yes - which is why it would be a better deal for me to rename, say, Uzbekistan as "OneDude79stan" - then you could take your friends there to show what your newly named country is like! You can't do that with a lousy 8th magnitude star.