echrzanowski@watmath.UUCP (Edward Chrzanowski) (09/02/83)
Can anyone give me the name of the organization that put names
on stars. In other words you pay them a set fee and they will
put the name you want on one of the stars out there. Is there
a Canadian organization that does the same thing? I would like
an answer as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance
(watmath!echrzanowski)bill@utastro.UUCP (09/04/83)
Please, everyone, be warned: The outfit that "names" stars after you for a fee has no more right to do so than I do. This is a commercial business that has a copy of the Smithsonian Star Catalog, and for a modest fee they will send you a nice certificate that says that "star number such-and-so is now called Barry's star"; The certificate is worthless and means nothing. The organization, of course, keeps your money. I consider it a rip-off (like those "genealogy researchers" we heard about a few months ago). There is only one organization that has the right to name objects in the Heavens. It is the International Astronomical Union, and is the organization that speaks for all the world's astronomers. It has a Commission on Astronomical Nomenclature whose responsibility is to name objects, features on planets and so on. There is one good way to get your name legitimately on a heavenly body: Discover a comet (and be one of the first to inform Dr. Brian Marsden at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Mass.) This is easier said than done. Bill Jefferys 8-% Astronomy Dept, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 (Snail) ihnp4!kpno!utastro!bill (uucp) utastro!bill@utexas-11 (ARPA)
bill@utastro.UUCP (09/20/83)
For Robert Elton Maas, who has an ARPA address I don't know how to reach. More on the IAU: The International Astronomical Union adheres to the International Council of Scientific Unions, which itself is supported by UNESCO. If you discover a comet or nova (better yet, supernova! We haven't had one for over 300 years) immediately *wire* Dr. Brian Marsden: His TWX is 710-320-6842 ASTROGRAM CAM. He can be reached by telephone at (617) 864-5758. His snail address is: Dr. Brian Marsden Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 60 Garden St. Cambridge MA 02138 As for an ARPA address for Brian, he may have one, but I don't know it. My apologies. Bill Jefferys 8-% Astronomy Dept, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 (Snail) ihnp4!kpno!utastro!bill (uucp) utastro!bill@utexas-11 (ARPA)
bill@utastro.UUCP (09/29/83)
he galactic plane, and the interstellar dust obscures them from our view. A bright supernova in the Milky Way would be a great treat both scientifically and in general. We are overdue. I am grateful to Robert Elton Maas (ucbvax!REM@MIT-MC.ARPA) for pointing out to me that my original submission should have been more precise. Bill Jefferys 8-% Astronomy Dept, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 (Snail) ihnp4!kpno!utastro!bill (uucp) utastro!bill@utexas-11 (ARPA)