Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about named stars.
What exactly is a 'named star'?
A named star is any star that carries a proper name recognized by astronomers or the public, as opposed to being identified solely by a catalog number or Bayer designation. Most of the roughly 300 stars with widely accepted names are bright enough to be visible to the naked eye.
Who has the authority to name stars?
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the only body that officially designates names for celestial objects, though in practice most star names predate the IAU and come from centuries of astronomical tradition. The IAU has not established a comprehensive naming program for individual stars the way it has for planets and their moons.
Where do most star names come from?
The majority of traditional star names trace back to Arabic and Latin terminology used by medieval and Renaissance astronomers, with a smaller set drawn from Greek mythology. Many entered European usage through translations of works by scholars like Al-Sufi and later astronomers such as Bayer and Flamsteed.
How many stars actually have proper names?
Fewer than 300 stars are generally considered to have established, widely recognized names in the astronomical community. This is a tiny fraction of the millions of stars catalogued, most of which are known only by numbers in various star catalogs.
Can I buy or name a star as a gift?
Various commercial websites sell 'star naming' certificates, but the IAU does not recognize any of these designations as official. They are novelty items with no standing in the astronomical community.
What's the difference between a star's name and its catalog designation?
A proper name like 'Vega' or 'Sirius' is a traditional label, while a catalog designation like 'Alpha Lyrae' or 'HD 172167' is a systematic identifier used for precise reference. Most named stars also carry one or more catalog numbers, and the vast majority of catalogued stars have no proper name at all.
What are some of the most well-known named stars?
Sirius, Vega, Polaris, Betelgeuse, and Rigel are among the most frequently referenced named stars in both astronomy and popular culture. They tend to be bright, easily visible, and anchored in well-known constellations.
Are all star names based on mythology?
No—while many names reference Greek, Roman, or other mythological figures, a large number derive from descriptive Arabic words or simply from the star's position within a constellation. Some are transliterations of older observational terms rather than mythological references.
Where can I look up information on a specific named star?
The IAU's Star Names page, maintained by its Working Group on Star Names, lists the officially recognized proper names, while databases like SIMBAD or the Hipparcos catalog provide physical data for any star by name or number. For a more accessible starting point, stargazing apps and NASA's public archives can cross-reference names with coordinates and basic properties.
Why do some stars have multiple names?
A single star may carry an Arabic name, a Latin name, a Chinese name, and a Bayer designation simultaneously because different astronomical traditions developed independently over centuries. For example, the star known as 'Deneb' in the West was called 'Nah' in Chinese astronomy, and both labels refer to the same object.