Buying Star Names

[iceman]

Someone yesterday asked me about buying star names.. I politely told them it was a load of ... money wasting exercise.

Today I stumbled across this nice article by the IAU (International Astronomical Union) about Buying Star Names (http://www.iau.org/BUYING_STAR_NAMES.244.0.html)..

Pretty funny reading.. The sad thing is that people are so gullible and actually spend money on this sort of rubbish.

[xelasnave]

It is sad Mike but the sadness of buyer stupidity is not limited to only star names.
alex

[Rodstar]

I wonder if anyone has ever tried to SELL the star they previously acquired. It would be interesting to see how second hand prices compare to new? Galactic interest rates are always a concern of mine, particularly under the sustained pressure of another looming supernova break out.

It would also be interesting to know whether the stars in some constellations are more "up market" than others. I imagine that a red giant in Scorpius would be worth a tad more than a brown dwarf in Horologium.

[mlcolbert]

.... yeah alex what about the fun and games with childrens' names.....:eyepop:

michael

[mlcolbert]

Hmmm Rod, it makes me think.... purely for research of course but,


could that be done on eBay? I'm sure that there would be gulible types there and it would also be interesting to see eBay's response from a legal standpoint.

This reminds me, that there has been such a thing as 'Space Law' since the '60's, so maybe that is another thing for lawyers to consider? (Hi Alex!:thumbsup:)

michael

[DougAdams]

I just went to a "star retailer" site - wow, that's quite a price! We're talking about half a Nagler here.

I think I'll just name a star myself and save my money. Find a nice carbon star, and name it "Bloody Doug" :)

[leon]

Hi Guys, I totally agree that paying for the opportunity to have a star in your name is probably just a grab for dollars.

However, I have never sold any of this stuff, but just do it for people I know, who will get closure, enjoyment, or just for fun of it, and I do this for them because I can, and they have asked.

I see nothing wrong with the example below, of a fellow, (our close friend) who passed away about 12 months ago and left behind a 6 week old baby and a young wife.

See knew I was into stars and stuff, and asked me to put something together for her little daughter.

I have done others as well, for any occasion, may it be Birthdays, weddings, Deaths etc..

Some Certificates I do have Stars named after people, and are picked in a place of the night sky so that they, at any given time look up and say, Oh, there it is, that is my Star, it is just in fun, and I feel if there is no profit in it it is harmless.

Leon :thumbsup:

[Rodstar]

In my legal practice, I have some private international law matters, including a case at the moment involving a dispute over assets worth $US 100 million situated in about 6 different countries across the globe. It is hard enought having arguments as to which country on Earth is the most convenient forum to settle such disputes, let alone considering galactic law!

I am imagining a law suit filed by a government on a planet around a star not so far away (say 100 light years), disputing claims of sovereignty over their host star by Mrs Elaine Smith of Woy Woy South, Earth. Of course, one must prove service of process before the proceedings could be heard.....and then there would be the interlocutory application pleading "forum non conveniens" by Mrs Smith's great great great........(another 20) great grandson.....

[avandonk]

Rodstar in Hitchikers Guide to the Universe whoops Galaxy wasn't the notice for the demolition order of Earth for the new hyperspace highway lodged on a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri? From memory it was in the basement in a broom cupboard. All perfectly legal of course!

Bert

[h0ughy]

I was lookingat this for a fund raiser for Relay for life. I intend on doing it next year to get some funds for the cancer council. People do like to have a memory of loved ones, and besides who cares if its "owned " by someone else - its their memory! love to see them survey it for torrens title

[JimmyH155]

Can I buy Beetle juice please, and pay for it in Imperial Credits???;)

[h0ughy]

For you jimmy my lad you can have it, for the poultry sum of a few dollars more in here http://www.relay.cancercouncil.com.au/?2007/newcastlelake_macquarie_2007/houghys_heroes

TA:D

[DJVege]

LOL!

I have now named that super bright star in the sky...DJVEGE!!!

Hold on, that's Jupiter! :doh:

Anyone want me to name a star after you? I'll do it for $5!! :) LOL!!

Just for n00bs, that's a joke! :)

[acropolite]

I seem to remember a couple of people who have real stars named after them, namely the little flashlights (offspring of earthlight & firstlight) Rigil & Hadar, I believe it cost nothing at all to have the stars named after them....:whistle:

[h0ughy]

Yep lets hope they dont go super nova too soon or their Mum and Dad will change their names by "deed poll" (thanks Rod) to a brown dwarf:whistle:.

btw they are great kids:D

[Rodstar]

Try "deed poll".:nerd:

[cahullian]

awww come on Rod depol has a rustic kind of charm to it.

Gazz

[h0ughy]

thank you o learned one, I be very simple:P

[xelasnave]

:lol::lol::lol:

Who said lawyers dont have a sense of humour.

Ever seen the cartoon with old lawyer rummaging over his desk and saying to the client sitting opposite..

"of course there will be the usual search fee"

alex

[xelasnave]

Leon you are a very decent and kind man...
Good on you:thumbsup:

alex:):):)

[xelasnave]

Hi Micheal .... hows it going mate...

Lawyers came from a day when disputes were settled by battle... the parties would slog it out and as God determined all outcomes the one that won was obviously the one telling the truth as clearly he had God on his side. Time passed and the parties could employ a "Champion" to fight ... I interpret this that who ever had the most cash could get the best champion but all that was still in the hands of God...

Today things are not much different in so far as a lotta cash can decided outcomes but the good thing is we all feel that we all have rights... but never forget it is still in God's hands... and I am an atheist... thank God I am an atheist...

We laugh at the star selling thing but if you want a real laugh examine the carbon credit trading scheme.. trading of carbon savings created when a firm puts in some new light bulbs is perhaps a little more absurd than the trading of stars that no one really has title to... but then what is title... man creates title over land which really he tries to establish a control that would seem to last until the horsemen ride the streets...and well that is a bit of a stretch really...but we go along with it because we are here for but a short moment and somehow think in that short moment we own most of eternity.

Curious really.

So who wants in on my Moon subdivision...
AND that is the way of it... I claim a parcel of land no one will oppose it and as such I create a title..not a good one but as good as land title in this country in so far as title is not worth a cracker if another power claims it by force and refuses to recognise that you are the true Lord of the Lands...

But seriously I have some good asteroids just listed for auction and the vendor must sell... they will be great buying.

alex

[xelasnave]

When doing sales training it was proposed that selling abstract items was the hardest...I disagree selling abstract is easy because it has no limit when you think about it for it exists in the imagination and some of us have no limit in that area.

Ever read any books relating some of the big con jobs... says so much about the human capacity for greed, abstract notions and above all the workings of human pride... the role of pride is as a common thread to all great cons it is why the victim keeps quiet having realised finally like a wise man has with him when he gets out of bed ..that we are all fools in a world of other fools,...
alex

[leon]

Kind Words Alex, Thank You.

Leon

[RAJAH235]

FWIW......
Take a look at Sydney Observatory's site.
Even they have a program.
But it's for good reasons.
Don't really approve but.....
http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/star/
Darn expensive too!
Nice work, Leon.:thumbsup:
Regs, L..

[h0ughy]

300 dollars - no way maybe 20 or 30 dollars

[thunderchildobs]

Look it from the other side, there is probably a equally gulible small fury creature from alpha centauri that owns the sun.

[saberscorpx]

I used to buy novelty stars like candy as 'dozen-roses-alternative' gifts.
(This was before any contribution-worthy Adopt-A-Star programs
existed).
The International Star Registry even offered me their Cluster Club Visa.

One night, I decided to go out and hunt one of those stars down.
I haven't went a day without Looking Up since.

Adopting these stellar gifts could even be considered a form of Outreach.
All it took was one obscure sun in Perseus (besides running into the Alpha Persei and Double Clusters along the way) to trigger my obsession.

BTW, I'm still stuck with a star in Ursa Minor's bowl from a breakup before the certificate arrived.
A shame, being as it's in such prime celestial real estate.
Years later, I'm still looking for another qualifying recipient hottie with the initials 'TLS'.
Until then, the 11th magnitude sun just goes by 'Tough Luck, Saber'.


SJS

[xelasnave]

I just a thought but once you have a "deed" it will be good against everyone on the planet as it is doubtful that there is a court that would be able to hear any dispute as to title as they would not have jurisdiction... that is a guess and generally a courts jurisdiction is limited to specific areas.. and I can not recall any court that could make an order in respect of title matters outside this planet...

so I would say once you have a certificate no one can bring an action as all courts would have to throw it out... for lack of jurisdiction..

and as a generalisation two little sayings ruffly apply in law...first in best dressed:D ( or if I did not see anyone they are not really there) and possesion is nine tenths of the law (I have it and it will take a judge to get it from me)... mmm I think we need to brief a QC on this.

And if the subject of a property settlement between the sexes further legitimacy again;)..wow..,.


so developing this I would say if you have no notice of previous title:)..including native title:D ... and have paid a consideration and the paper work covers the 4 "p"s , parties, price, promises, premises... you own it for sure... :thumbsup:

And on the same lines I advise I have just formed what you Earthlings term "your local council" so expect a rate notice from me very soon:eyepop:...

and I hasten to add paying rates really strenghtens your claim to a good title:D... mmmm conveyancing..no problem ..resort to "old system title" which is in effect a big pile of all and every document evidencing transfer of title...over the years... law is neat really isnt it..well my way is:lol::lol::lol:


So hows the weather your way..still crook here:lol::lol::lol:.

alex:):):)

alex

[Lee]

I thought it was a bit steep too.... after all, it is just a certificate.....
They probably sell the same little mag 8 non-star to everyone....

[xelasnave]

Only buy thru a reputable agent and have your lawyer check the paper work:lol::lol::lol:

The market does seem to be plagued by an over supply but sooner or later the prime locations will go and the the market will consolidate:whistle:. go for stuff close to transport:P

alex:):):)