Hi Wanglese & All,
I work at Sydney Observatory as a guide and I have to admit that prior to the introduction of this programme, I had very serious misgivings about it too. However ...
The IAU cannot and does not "
prohibit" the practise of naming stars, they merely disassociate themselves with it.
See here:
http://www.iau.org/public/buying_star_names/
The IAU cannot legislate against it nor could they enforce any "ban" or "protocol". The reason behind their stance is that they had a million enquiries from people seeking info on stars they were "sold" at places like the buy-a-star register and these people were great disappointed because they honestly believed they "owned" the star in question and that their name was recognised by astronomers all over the world.
Those private individuals out there "selling stars" are quite different from the programme at Sydney Observatory and do not offer what we offer, nor do we promise what they promise. We operate within both the letter and the spirit of the stance taken by the IAU.
When people decide to participate in our programme, they are clearly told (and it is also in the documentation we supply) that the name they associate with the star in our catalogue is only recognised at Sydney Observatory and has no standing outside Sydney Observatory.
We "name" only stars that are actually within the great Sydney Southern Star Catalogue that was actually compiled at Sydney Observatory via its massive astrometric work between about 1880 and 1983. It was, when complete one of the largest (and most accurate) star catalogues in the world. Sydney Observatory owns the rights to that catalogue (it's ours!!)
You will notice here from the website:
"Name A Star
links a name with a star in our catalogue and your donation funds the heritage and collection program at Sydney Observatory, a non-profit organisation, part of the Powerhouse Museum. This means that your individual Name A Star gift is fully tax-deductible.
Your chosen name for the star in the catalogue is kept in the Observatory’s records."
http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/star/
People don't "buy" a star per-se -- they know they own no rights to it in any way -- they are only associating a name they choose with it. In the similar way to the manner a corporate entity or a private person associates their name as a sponsor with an animal at the Zoo.
All of the funds raised via this programme go to the upkeep of Sydney Observatory and its numerous astronomy outreach programmes. Not one cent goes to the Government or consolidated revenue. Sydney Observatory via this and other initiatives is the only part of the Powerhouse Museum that actually breaks-even money wise (in fact we make a nominal profit -- that we keep and save for future programmes!). You'd be surprised how many we've "named" and how much it brings in.
The money is used to restore important pieces of astronomical equipment and records or to our outreach programmes. Next year, we will be building another outside dome/building using the restored dome from the old photoheliostat that at last disabled people will be able to access the stars. I think from memory, over 100,000 people visited Sydney Observatory last year. There were approaching 1,000 school groups. If we didn't do this programme, most of the money it generates would have to be recouped via further government funding (do you know how hard it is to get money out of the NSW Govt at this time ??) or somewhat increased general admission prices. Only 2 years ago the Powerhouse Museum was very nearly shut down 2 days a week to save money because they run at a big loss -- we don't.
The reality is, our "Name-a-Star" programme is hardly any different in practice or principle to Taronga Park's sponsor an animal/exhibit -- and not many people object to that.
But that's only one side of the equation. If people didn't participate in our programme, most of them would just go to one of the internet registry's and buy one -- the money is better in our "pockets" than theirs. As I said earlier, I was a great doubter at its inception, now I'm a believer. More than half the stars named at our observatory are commemorative/anniversary stars -- named for lost loved ones. The people who do name a star really love what we do and sometimes come back year after year at special times to look at the star through our 'scopes they named for a lost son or daughter, grandma or grandpa -- it's genuinely cathartic for them. We also have many "corporate" stars bought by numerous organisations.
Plus, instead of just giving them a pretty certificate, we actually tell them a bit about their star while they are viewing -- we impart a bit of astrophysics to them about how hot it is, how far away, how much bigger than/smaller than our Sun -- it's a chance to dazzle them with a bit of science. And they really take it in because it's "their" star.
The casual night guides that work at the Obs are a mix 1:2 of very experienced amateurs and Masters and PhD candidates who are supporting themselves through their studies. We can name eminent astronomers like for example Bryan Gaensler (Cosmologist/Astronomer) & Young Australian of the Year) who started their careers at the Obs as night guides and have gone on to great things (stellar careers indeed!!)
An important part of our programmes is the "Name-a-Star" for all these reasons. That's why we do it. It's not money grubbing for the government --its for the benefit of astronomy. It has been so successful there are now many other public observatories around the world doing the same thing for the same reasons.
Have I persuaded you?
Best,
Les D