Star Naming: Commercial Services vs. Official Astronomical Recognition
The naming of stars operates under two distinct systems: commercial services and official astronomical recognition. While numerous private companies offer packages to "name a star," these names are recorded in private databases and are not recognized or utilized by the international astronomical community.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the sole authority for assigning official star names and designations, which are rooted in scientific observation, historical, and cultural significance, rather than individual or commercial preferences.
Commercial Star Naming Services
Commercial services allow individuals to choose a name for a star, often providing a certificate and star map. These services typically record the chosen names in their private databases. However, names assigned through these commercial entities are not official and are not used by astronomers.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU), which governs astronomical naming conventions, states that celestial bodies are not owned by any private entity. With hundreds of thousands of customers reported by some services and approximately 2,500 stars visible to the naked eye in one hemisphere (or 5,000 across both), it is common for the same star to be given multiple unofficial names. Some of these services can cost as little as A$40.
With a vast number of commercial customers compared to the relatively few visible stars, it is common for the same star to be given multiple unofficial names.
Official Star Naming by Astronomers
Astronomers exclusively use official proper names and designations to identify stars. The IAU's Working Group on Star Names maintains the official list of these names and establishes guidelines for their assignment.
Proper Names
Fewer than 600 out of over a billion identified stars possess a proper name, such as Sirius, Betelgeuse, or Polaris. These names are typically drawn from historical and cultural contexts. For example, "Sarvvis" is a recently added star name derived from the Sami people of Northern Scandinavia.
Designations
All known stars have at least one designation, which are unique combinations of letters and numbers used in star surveys and catalogues. These designations provide specific information about the star, such as the types of light it emits or the telescope that observed it.
For instance, Sirius has over 60 designations, including "2MASS J06450887-1642566" (indicating infrared light from the Two Micron All-Sky Survey) and "HIP 32349" (from the European Space Agency Hipparcos mission, identifying it as a bright optical star). Numbers within designations often represent the star's coordinates or unique identifiers within a specific catalogue.
New designations are continuously assigned as new sky surveys are performed and catalogues are constructed. An example is TYC 8332-2529-1 receiving the designation MKT J170456.2-482100 after detection by the MeerKAT telescope.
The Role of the International Astronomical Union
The IAU is recognized as the global authority for naming celestial objects. Its Working Group on Star Names enforces strict guidelines for official naming, prohibiting names that are commercial, political, military, or those of pet animals.
The IAU explicitly states that officially naming a star after an individual is not possible.
The focus for new official star names is on historical and cultural significance, making new additions rare. Even during public naming campaigns conducted by the IAU, stars considered are typically too faint to be seen with the naked eye. While rare, astronomers who discover stars can propose new names, such as "Siwarha," which was named by its discovery team for Betelgeuse's companion star. Individuals can engage in stargazing to observe officially named stars visible in the night sky.