How to name a star in India
You choose a real star, give it a name, and receive a certificate, a star chart and a page that shows where to look. Here is how it works, step by step, and what it does and does not mean.
1. Choose the person and the occasion
Most people name a star for a partner, a parent, a new baby, a friend, or in memory of someone. The occasion and your message are printed on the certificate, so think of one line you would like them to keep.
2. Choose a star
Every star in our registry is a real star from the Hipparcos catalogue, the star map made by the European Space Agency's Hipparcos satellite. Each has a catalogue number (HIP), a position in the sky and a distance. We only use stars that rise well above the horizon from India, so they can be found from here.
- Standard star: seen with binoculars or a small telescope.
- Bright star (₹499 more): seen by eye from a truly dark place, away from city lights.
- Brightest star (₹999 more): seen by eye from a village or the edge of a town.
3. Write the name and the message
The name, the dedication and your message are printed exactly as you type them. The order page shows a preview of the certificate as you write, so you can check every letter before paying.
4. Choose digital, printed or framed
- Digital, ₹999: emailed within minutes, to print or share.
- Printed, ₹1,799: on heavy art paper, delivered anywhere in India within 1 to 2 weeks.
- Framed, ₹2,999: framed and ready to hang, delivered within 1 to 2 weeks.
Prices include GST and delivery in India. Payment is by UPI, card, net banking or wallet through Razorpay.
5. Find it in the sky
Every order comes with a private star page. It shows the sky over India for the date and place you choose, and guides the eye from a well-known constellation to the star. Share the link or the QR code with the person the star is for.
What naming a star means
The name is a symbolic gift, recorded in our private registry and not given to any other buyer there. It is not recognised by the International Astronomical Union, astronomers do not use it, and you do not own the star. We say this plainly because a gift should be honest. Read more in Is naming a star real?