International Star Registry


The International Star Registry is an organization founded in 1979, which sells the right to unofficially name stars.
Products and services are often marketed as gifts or memorials.

History

International Star Registry of Illinois was started in 1979 by John and Phyllis Mosele. The company claims to have named about 2 million stars since its formation and published these names in a series of books. It has been organizing their business of naming stars for people for decades. The present owner of the company is Rocky Mosele, one of John and Phyllis Mosele's twelve children. The company has published nine large volumes of the copyrighted book named Your Place in the Cosmos.

Business

Products and services are often marketed as gifts or memorials. Packages sold by the company include framed and unframed s, personalized jewelry, plush toys, and pet rocks identifying "naming" of a star as described in the book. Naming services are limited to an entry in the book and carries no scientific or official authenticity according to professional astronomers as well as the company's list of frequently asked questions.
In 1998 the International Star Registry was issued a violation by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs for deceptive advertising for claiming "official" naming rights and have since discontinued this claim.