Naming Stars
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the globally recognized authority responsible for establishing official names for celestial bodies, including stars. This work ensures that astronomers, educators, and the public around the world use consistent and reliable names when referring to objects in the night sky.
Within the IAU, the Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) leads the process of selecting star names with great care and responsibility. Names are chosen based on historical significance, cultural heritage, and long-standing astronomical traditions. The aim is to honor the rich diversity of how different cultures have named the stars, while maintaining clarity and avoiding confusion or offense.
Typically, bright stars visible to the naked eye receive names drawn from ancient constellations or Indigenous sky traditions. Fainter stars may be named through public participation campaigns.
The IAU follows clear and thoughtful guidelines to ensure that official star names are respectful, culturally sensitive, scientifically practical, and universally accepted. This careful process reflects the IAU’s commitment to preserving the integrity of astronomical naming for present and future generations.
Can I name a star?
Official star names are approved only by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), and there are strict rules in place to ensure these names respect cultural heritage, astronomy traditions, and scientific clarity.
Names of people, including family members, friends, or loved ones, are not allowed for official star names. This is to avoid confusion, favoritism, or conflicts between cultures and languages. Since 2022, the IAU has officially prohibited naming stars after individuals.
If you wish to dedicate a star symbolically to someone special, you can, the sky is not owned by anyone. However, these names are not recognized by astronomers or the IAU, and the star name will not appear with that name in any scientific records.
At the IAU, we believe that honoring people can be more appropriately done through naming features like asteroids or lunar craters, which follow different processes. Stars, however, are named only following strict international guidelines, usually based on historical or cultural significance.
How do stars get their official names?
The IAU’s WGSN group is responsible for approving official star names. Here's how it works:
| Bright Stars visible to the naked eye, brighter than 6.5 magnitude | These are named after historical or Indigenous constellations or traditional sky stories. |
| Fainter Stars dimmer than 6.5 magnitude | These can be named through public campaigns like "NameExoWorlds" |
You can learn all about in WGSN website exopla.net
The Process:
- Experts collect information on the name’s history, spelling, and cultural background.
- The group discusses which star the name should apply to, considering cultural sensitivity and avoiding duplication.
- Indigenous communities must give permission if their cultural heritage is used.
- Monthly meetings and careful discussions ensure fair and thoughtful decisions.
The Rules to name a Star:
- Names must be easy to pronounce, non-offensive, and not too similar to existing astronomical names
- Names of people, animals, brands, or political/military events are not allowed.
- No acronyms, numbers, or unnecessary punctuation.
- Names are written in the Latin alphabet with an initial capital letter.
Since 2022, no stars can be named after people anymore. Existing names won’t be changed but will be explained through the IAU’s “All Skies Encyclopaedia.”
Some bright stars have proper names, often with Arabic, Greek, or Latin etymologies.
However, the vast majority of stars have alphanumeric designations consisting of an acronym plus either an index number or celestial position e.g., HR 7001, 2MASS J1836563 3+3847012.
Name Start Catalog
After investigating cultural star names worldwide, the WGSN may adopt new official IAU star names for stars currently lacking one, helping to preserve astronomical heritage while providing unique names for the international community. You can learn more in the IAU´s Star Names Catalog
Names for exoplanets and their host stars may also be approved by the IAU Executive Committee Working Group on the Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites, as was done for the NameExoWorlds contests in 2015, 2019, and 2022.
🌟 Ways to Connect With the Night Sky Without Naming a Star
For many, the desire to name a star comes from a deeply emotional place: a way to honour someone special, mark a significant moment, or create a lasting connection with the Universe. While stars already have official names and designations, there are beautiful and meaningful ways to celebrate the cosmos and make it part of your story. Here are some of our best ideas:
🌌 Find “Your” Star and Make It Yours
Choose a star using a sky map or app, one that feels meaningful to you. Visit it often, mark special dates, and let it quietly carry your story through time.
📖 Discover the Stories Behind the Stars
Explore how cultures around the world have named and understood the stars through myths, traditions, and science.
🔭 Join Your Local Astronomy Community
Clubs, observatories, and planetariums offer stargazing events and activities where you can learn, share, and even contribute to real discoveries.
🎨 Create Your Own Cosmic Tribute
Write a poem, compose a song, paint, or name a creative project after a star that inspires you. Art has always been a bridge between humanity and the sky.
🌍 Support Astronomy and Space Exploration
Support programs that bring astronomy to schools and communities and help inspire future generations of sky-watchers and scientists.
🔎 Take Part in Citizen Science Projects
Join global projects like NASA Citizen Science, Globe at Night, or Galaxy Zoo to contribute to real astronomical research.
🌠 Explore Astronomy Through Language
Languages shape the way we see the universe. Some cultures describe celestial objects differently, highlighting aspects that Western astronomy often overlooks. You could explore how different languages talk about the sky or even learn an astronomical term from an originating culture.
✨ Share the Sky With Others
Perhaps the most meaningful way to celebrate the stars is to share them. Host a stargazing night, tell stories about the constellations, or simply spend a quiet moment looking up with someone you love. The sky belongs to all of us, and every time we look up together, we become part of its story.
What is the IAU, and why does it name astronomical objects?
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919 to promote and safeguard astronomy through international cooperation. It has over 13,000 individual members from 111 countries, primarily professional astronomers at the PhD level or higher. The IAU also has 87 National Members representing national science academies and astronomical organizations.
Since its inception, the IAU has standardized celestial nomenclature to ensure clarity among astronomers worldwide. Various IAU working groups establish official names for constellations, planetary surface features, small bodies, exoplanets, and deep-space objects. Importantly, this work is scientific, not commercial.
IAU-approved names are internationally recognized and used by scientists, space agencies, and authors of astronomical literature.
Why do stars have numbers and letters instead of proper names?
Most stars are assigned scientific designations (alphanumeric codes) to facilitate locating, describing, and studying them. These designations are often based on catalog numbers or sky coordinates, which is crucial for databases containing millions of stars.
Some stars do have proper names due to cultural or scientific significance (e.g., historical use in navigation, mythology, or timekeeping).
The IAU has officially recognized a few hundred proper star names through the Working Group on Star Names (WGSN). This group is also cataloging star names from diverse cultures, with the potential to approve new official names in the future.
Does the IAU own the stars or celestial objects?
No. The IAU does not claim ownership of celestial objects. Additionally, international space treaties prevent individuals or organizations from claiming ownership of extraterrestrial land or objects.
What are better ways to honour a loved one who loves the stars?
Instead of purchasing a star name, you can:
- Visit a planetarium, observatory, or astronomy club for real stargazing experiences.
- Go camping in a dark sky area to appreciate the stars naturally.
- Give astronomy books, field guides, or educational materials as gifts.
- Explore online sky maps and planetarium software like WorldWideTelescope or Stellarium.
- Make a donation in their name to support real astronomical research and education.