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Saturday, September 7, 2002
For the past 20 years, the International Star Registry has allowed people to name a star after a loved one. The name is recorded in a book and kept at the Library of Congress. Quite a gift, right? If you even thought "yes" for a second, I worry about you. It costs $48 to "name" a star... but what exactly do you get? For some reason, I doubt this company owns the universe. They're naming of stars isn't recognized by any professional astronomical organization. The only organization that's licensed to name stars is the International Astronomical Union. So, for your $48, you get a certificate (er, a piece of paper), a chart with your star circled, and a small book on astronomy. And, yes, it's recorded in an all-important book that's kept at the Library of Congress! Oh boy! What a friggin' scam. And to the tune of $50 million (they've sold one million packages-of-crap in the last two decades). BTW, you can buy a Ping if you want. We'll name a Ping after you for a mere $139 (with the exception of the "Bayside" Ping, which goes for $500). E-mail suckered@dailyping.com for details. Comments
FROM: Ben [E-Mail]
DATE: Saturday September 7, 2002 -- 12:09:48 pm What?! You mean there's not really a star called I Had Sex With Michelle Rodriguez??!! Dammit! For the $50 I spent I could have gotten a prostitute that kind of looked like her! Crap! FROM: Robert [E-Mail] DATE: Saturday September 7, 2002 -- 2:47:15 pm I'd like to buy the Jackass Ping. Or even better, the first one you put into Dumbass Mode in which that hoe bashed me for dissing Gwen Stefani. Yeah, that would be sweet!!! FROM: Bob DATE: Friday May 7, 2004 -- 9:23:25 am Who cares if someone wants to waste money on something cool.....do you run everyones pocketbooks in teh US....is so you are behind on balancing mine....get off your fricking high horse and deal with it! FROM: Ryan [E-Mail] DATE: Friday May 7, 2004 -- 11:04:29 am For only $79.95, I'll name the high horse after you! FROM: Jim DATE: Thursday September 29, 2005 -- 3:25:16 pm I just had someone come into the planetarium to have me show her the star she "named" after her missing sister. The map had a felt pen mark where her "star" was supposed to be and there was no way I could show it to her. FROM: Joseph DATE: Thursday September 29, 2005 -- 4:21:35 pm For $10 I'll name a freckle on my ass after anyone you want. FROM: Sammy Reed DATE: Thursday September 29, 2005 -- 8:19:43 pm I got dibs on "Joker's Wild".
From: John Day
Re. International Star Registry
I have shown people "their Star" several times. The coordinates they receive are epoch 1950. You have to convert it to Epoch J2000 using conversion programs on the internet. Then go to Google Earth, use the sky option, enter the J2000 coordinates and you are then within seconds of "their star". I then print out a 1/2 degree star field so we can see where it is in the telescope field-of-view remembering that it may be a mirror image depending on the optics. Of course you also have to know what your image field size is in the telescope so you can choose an eyepiece that has a 1/2 degree field of view. Also you have to have a telescope such that you can direct it to a particular right-ascension and declination. I know this seems like a lot of work but it actually only takes a few minutes once you get the process down.
From: Brent Kozlowski
(URL)
You think that's crazy. You should check ut my new company. We sell people a DAY. Yes, I said day! You people are missing the whole point about the star registry! It's not wether or not the star is really named after the person, It's the idea and thought behind it. It's a unique and creative gift that comes from the heart. I can't wait to see what your going to write about the International Day Registry.
From: Ryan
(URL)
"I can't wait to see what your going to write about the International Day Registry."
Not much to say beyond, "I can't see anyone ever paying money for something like that." But obviously people will if things like the bogus star registry are still around.
From: Derik
You can sell anything. I never would have thought some 25 years ago that folks would be willing to buy bottled water.
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