Okay, here is a tip–a bit unusual and not your typical travel tip: You can wish upon a star, you can’t really name a star. So, you ask???

A few years ago, when my sister turned the big 6-0, I purchased (or so I thought) a star for her, complete with a certificate that named it after her. The company sent her the certificate and a map of the night sky (a nice added touch, I think). The gift: $50; impressing my sister: PRICELESS! (What a great advertising coup that phrase has been for MasterCard!).

A few minutes ago I thought I’d add a link to the site that sells those billions of twinkling lights in the sky. I googled (I’m so techie!) buy a star and was amazed how many companies now offer that service—and then I read some information shocked me to the core: I’d been scammed—well, kind of scammed (Is that like pregnant v. a little pregnant?). There is only one agency that can “officially” name a star, the International Astronomical Union. They have rules and regulations and we average humanoids can’t buy and/or name a star. The reason I said “kind of” scammed is that the gift did produce a positive effect. I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t understand what I was really buying–a piece of paper! I know better than to believe a lot of what is written on the Web and I rail against the scams of hot deals and super travel bargains that don’t exist and about the people duped by these scams. Yet, I just learned my house is made of glass.

See: Buying a Star FAQ http://enzerink.net/peter/astronomy/starfaq/

Buy a Star, But It’s Not Yours http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2001/12/49345