Dear Adrian Barnett We are writing with regard to your comments on the International Star Registry, as published on http://www.abarnett.demon.co.uk/ripoff.html/ entitled "Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware" While we have no objection to your airing your personal opinions or questioning the principle of naming stars, we would appreciate it if you would correct a few factual inaccuracies > The International Star Registry page can be found here - > International Star Registry. Could you please include our London office page? http://www.starregistry.co.uk/ " Nice idea though it is, the ISR has absolutely no authority to alter the name of any star." We do not "alter" the name of any star. Your implication that the star has already been named is incorrect. "Nobody outside the ISR recognises the "new" name of the star." We have never claimed anything to the contrary. "No astronomer will ever refer to Sirius as "Sarah Smith" for example." Neither would anyone at ISR. By policy, the IAU does not name stars. We select stars that have not been named before. "The ISR has no more authority to change the name of any star than I have to change the name of any mountain". Again, we are not changing anything that already carries a name. Attempting to change the name of a terrestrial feature - from Mount Fuji to Oxford Circus - does not equate with naming stars. Whatever astronomers would have people believe, they have no more right than anyone else to exercise sole jurisdiction over matters which are not of this earth. "Another problem is that the star you are allocated is too faint to be seen with the naked eye" In our experience, people do not have a problem with this. Finally, concerning the email you report sent to us on 4th October, this never arrived at the UK office. Perhaps it was sent to our USA office? Either way, our response is: 1. None. Which international astronomical organisations and "official" bodies designate star names? If none, then why not? ISR was founded in 1979 as a response to peoples desire to make such a gesture. We offer a novelty gift and an attractive package which has given immense pleasure to thousands. 2. We do not submit the Register to these "official" bodies, mainly because there is mutual disagreement over the principles of the entire matter. We hope you will be able to amend your page accordingly. Jaqi Clayton ISR UK -- International Star Registry 24 Highbury Grove London N5 2DQ Telephone: 0171-226 6886 Fax: 0171-226 8668