I just received an email advertising a new twist on the old star naming schtick. Interestingly the company doing this ( http:// www.nameastarlive.com ) is the same company that shot Gene Roddenberry's and Timothy Leary's ashes into space. +++++ Here's what they said: Introducing the perfect holiday gift from Name a Star Live. With gift sets starting at $19.95, Name A Star Live allows you to name a real star and launch your own message into space. Only Name A Star Live offers: - Live online viewing of your Star using our robotically controlled telescope - The ability to send your star name and message to space on board a rocket - A beautiful astrophoto of your constellation and star - The Virtual Planetarium 2007 astronomy software - 400 page Astronomy 2008 Almanac eBook +++++ Happily their web site (but not the email) noted that "Naming a star is a symbolic rather than scientific gift. Our register is not used by the scientific community although it is a perfectly valid register." patrick