Re: Celestron and Int Star Registry

Perhaps I'm an insensitive type, but it wouldn't hurt me at all to
tell the person who's been misled. I'd feel a pity that I could have
informed them *before* they shelled out the bucks. But that's hardly a
true harm to me, and I'll get over it. Quickly.

As for showing the star at an observatory, well... heck. So it's not
glamorous, so it might give some authenticity to star registry
companies (SRCs). If it's that much of an occurrence, you could post a
general sign pointing out what the official stance of the observatory
on the issue is. That might bring a lawsuit. If that's the case, then
it means the perception of right and wrong is different between the
two parties, and the lawsuit should allow you to bring forth the
points and validate one of them. The packaging/advertising for the
SRCs where they themselves [ethically should] state that it's a
novelty item could be posted up there with the observatory policy.

Granted it's in fine and faded print, but right there at the bottom of
the ISR's home page [ http://www.starregistry.com/ ] it reads,
"International Star Registry star naming is not recognized by the
scientific community. Your star?s name is reserved in International
Star Registry records only." It's a little slimy, sleazy, and
deceptive to hide it that way, but at least this one company admits it
in some fashion.

If the star isn't up, then it's pretty simple to say so. Half the sky
isn't up at any given time, and it's a 50-50 chance they'll just have
to learn that. Or if it's really dim, they'll learn that, too.

If it's hard to find, the operator could admit it. "It's beyond the
technical capabilities of the observatory to locate the object". Note
that you're not claiming the scope can't *see* it, it's just that you
can't *find* it.

Alternatively, you could tell the absolute truth: "We don't want to
give encouragement or credence to star registry comapnies (there are
several) by trying to locate an inconveniently dfficult object to
find. We're sorry that you're a loser and fell for the gag, but we
don't want to imply in any way that we work with or for the SRC, for
instance by actually helping you enjoy your experience with them. We
resent the uncomfortable feelings of guilt laid upon us by SCRs and
our pride as we sanctimoniously punish your gullibility, but hope
you've learned to not be fooled by anyone again (we've never been),
because you're careless and stupid, and we're not. Have a great night,
elsewhere. Bye!"


"Howard Lester" wrote:

Greg, I wonder if you're missing some of the points made.

So far in this thread I've read that some stars are never visible from the
star-buyer's location. It would hurt me to have to tell that to the star
buyer, as I'd expect him or her to be bitterly disappointed. I've also read
that the charts provided aren't all that good, making it next to impossible
for the telescope operator to find it. The operator could certainly fake it,
but that'd be lying. I'm not making value judgments. It's just what is.

Whether or not the whole ISR thing is good, bad, fraudulent..... I'm not
going there. Hey, I told an aunt of mine I named a backyard tree after
her....


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- Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
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