It's one of the most common questions in this whole subject: "Is my star official with NASA?" The honest answer is no - and understanding why makes the entire idea of star naming clearer, and frankly more interesting. This guide explains who actually names stars, what NASA does and doesn't do, how the real scientific catalogues work, and where commercial star registers fit without any of the myths.
- NASA does not name stars. It's a space agency, not a naming authority, and runs no register of star names.
- The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the recognised authority - but it has assigned proper names to only a few hundred stars, and it does not sell that service.
- The vast majority of stars are known only by catalogue numbers (HD, HIP, Gaia, TYC), not names.
- A private register is a commemorative catalogue: honest ones say so plainly, and the star and its coordinates are still real.
NASA is a space agency, not a naming authority
NASA - the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - builds spacecraft, runs telescopes and explores the solar system and beyond. What it doesn't do is maintain a registry of star names or sell dedications. There is no NASA database where your named star would appear, and no NASA office that approves star names. So if a seller tells you your dedication will be "registered with NASA" or "recognised by NASA", that claim is simply false.
"As an official naming authority for the Universe, the IAU… does not consider that commercial naming of stars has any formal validity."
What the IAU actually does
The International Astronomical Union, founded in 1919, is the body professional astronomers recognise for naming celestial objects - planets, moons, asteroids and a small set of stars. Its Working Group on Star Names (WGSN), established in 2016, maintains the official catalogue of proper star names.
- The list contains only a few hundred names - the historically and culturally significant stars like Sirius, Vega, Betelgeuse, Rigel and Polaris.
- Most of these names are centuries old, drawn from Arabic, Greek, Latin and other traditions, and were standardised (not invented) by the WGSN.
- The IAU does not run a public naming service and has never sold the right to name a star. It says so explicitly on its website.
Most stars are catalogue numbers
Here's the reality that surprises people: the overwhelming majority of the sky's stars have no name at all - only functional catalogue designations. A single star can carry several, one from each survey that recorded it:
| Catalogue | Example ID | Who made it |
|---|---|---|
| Hipparcos (HIP) | HIP 91262 | European Space Agency, 1997 - 118,218 stars |
| Henry Draper (HD) | HD 172167 | Harvard, early 20th century - ~360,000 stars |
| Tycho (TYC) | TYC 3105-2070-1 | ESA Hipparcos mission - ~2.5 million stars |
| Gaia (Gaia DR3) | Gaia DR3 2 … | ESA Gaia mission - ~1.8 billion sources |
All four IDs in a row can point to the same physical star - Vega, in fact (HD 172167 = HIP 91262). These are labels, not names, and they're what real astronomers actually use. Your star certificate's HIP number is one of these genuine identifiers - the most useful line on the page, because you can verify it (see below).
The one time the public helped name worlds
There's a nuance worth knowing. Through its NameExoWorlds campaigns (2015, 2019 and 2022), the IAU did invite the public to propose names for a curated set of exoplanets and their host stars - but always through a formal, contest-style process with national committees, not a paid service, and only for a tiny, chosen list of objects. It's the exception that proves the rule: even when the public helps, it goes through the IAU's official process, never a commercial transaction.
Where the "official NASA name" myth comes from
The myth is marketing, not fact. Some sellers borrow NASA's prestige to imply officialness, using phrases engineered to sound authoritative:
- "Registered with the US Copyright Office" - copyrighting a book that lists names doesn't make the names official.
- "Recognised by NASA / astronomers worldwide" - no astronomer uses commercial dedication names.
- "Official star registry" - there's no single official registry of star names for anyone to be part of.
The honest test: a trustworthy register tells you plainly that the name is a symbolic dedication in a private catalogue, unique within that register - and never claims NASA or IAU endorsement. Honesty is the mark of a good one. See our checklist for choosing a registry.
Where private registers honestly fit
None of this means star naming is worthless - it means it's symbolic, which is a different, honest thing. A private star register is a commemorative catalogue that:
- Records the name you choose against a real, catalogued star with true coordinates;
- Guarantees that name is unique within the register;
- Gives you the coordinates, a catalogue ID and the tools to find the star for real.
The star is genuinely up there. The coordinates on your certificate are genuine. What's symbolic is the name - and that's the whole point of a dedication. For the full mechanics, see how naming a star actually works.
How to verify any star yourself
You don't have to take anyone's word for it - you can check the real science on any star certificate in two minutes:
- Find the catalogue number on the certificate (e.g.
HIP 91262). - Go to SIMBAD, the professional astronomical database run by CDS Strasbourg.
- Type the ID into the "basic search". You'll see the star's real coordinates, brightness and every catalogue that lists it.
That confirms the star exists and matches your certificate's coordinates. What SIMBAD won't show is your dedicated name - because, as this whole guide explains, that lives in the register, not the science databases. Our pillar guide's catalogue section walks through this in more depth.
Frequently asked questions
Is my named star official with NASA?
No. NASA does not name stars or keep a registry of star names, so no commercial dedication is "official with NASA". The star and its coordinates are real; the name is a symbolic dedication in a private register.
Who officially names stars, then?
The International Astronomical Union, through its Working Group on Star Names. It has assigned proper names to only a few hundred stars - the historically important ones - and does not offer a public or paid naming service.
Can I get my star name into the IAU catalogue?
No. The IAU's process is scientific and applies to a small, curated set of objects; it isn't open to buying a name. The occasional NameExoWorlds contests are the only public route, and they cover just a handful of chosen worlds.
So is naming a star a scam?
Not if the seller is honest about what it is. A reputable register clearly presents the dedication as symbolic, guarantees uniqueness within its catalogue, and provides real coordinates so you can find the star. The problem is only with sellers who falsely claim official or NASA status.
How can I check my star is real?
Look up its catalogue number (like HIP) on SIMBAD. You'll see the star's genuine coordinates and data. See the verification steps above.
Sources & further reading
- International Astronomical Union - Naming Stars, Buying Star Names, and the Working Group on Star Names.
- IAU - NameExoWorlds public naming campaigns.
- European Space Agency - Hipparcos and Gaia catalogues.
- CDS Strasbourg - SIMBAD astronomical database.
- Richard Hinckley Allen, Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Dover, 1963) - the origins of the traditional names the IAU later standardised.
Related reading: how naming a star actually works, how to find a star in the night sky, and why a named star makes a memorable gift. Partner explainer: Can you name a star with the IAU? (LabelStars).
Want a dedication that's honest and real? Name a star and receive its genuine coordinates and catalogue number - everything you need to verify it and find it yourself.