In recent years, internet sites have begun to pop up allowing you to adopt a star in someone's name, so that you can give it to them as a birthday gift, anniversary present, graduation gift, etc. It seems like a fun idea.
But can you really adopt a star in the sky? Or is star naming a scam?
First of all, I'm not sure anyone would ascribe any particular meaning to a literal reading of "adopting a star". In fact, if you were to meet some alien living on a planet orbiting a star that some Earthling "named" or "adopted", I doubt they would be aware of it, and they might even be offended. Not that it matters what aliens think - but my point is that no one thinks you can officially adopt a star, and no one is claiming to do it anyway. No harm, no foul, I guess.
Anyway, as I say, there are sites that claim to let you adopt a star in the night sky - for instance, one site called StarMoniker does this. When you sign up, you pay them something like $40-60 and you get some papers in the mail which you can give to your loved one to demonstrate your love. Now frankly, I don't think their papers are very impressive, but I guess what really matters is what you write on them! So if you want to give someone an adopt-a-star gift they'll really appreciate, then take the time to right a really romantic dedication, and you're sure to score!
But can you really adopt a star in the sky? Or is star naming a scam?
First of all, I'm not sure anyone would ascribe any particular meaning to a literal reading of "adopting a star". In fact, if you were to meet some alien living on a planet orbiting a star that some Earthling "named" or "adopted", I doubt they would be aware of it, and they might even be offended. Not that it matters what aliens think - but my point is that no one thinks you can officially adopt a star, and no one is claiming to do it anyway. No harm, no foul, I guess.
Anyway, as I say, there are sites that claim to let you adopt a star in the night sky - for instance, one site called StarMoniker does this. When you sign up, you pay them something like $40-60 and you get some papers in the mail which you can give to your loved one to demonstrate your love. Now frankly, I don't think their papers are very impressive, but I guess what really matters is what you write on them! So if you want to give someone an adopt-a-star gift they'll really appreciate, then take the time to right a really romantic dedication, and you're sure to score!