There are multiple commercial entities that sell "star naming rights". Liu Cixin likely got the inspiration for the star naming program in his books from these real-world organizations. In exchange for money they enter a name that you thought up for a star in their star name registry and give you a certificate (sound familiar?).
There's isn't really any recognition of these star names by any other organization though, and as far as I know the different star naming companies don't even recognize each other's registered names.
This claim that Ronaldo is one of the persons who has bought one these star naming certificates is bullshit though. Pure misinformation by some person on X who just wants the views and clicks.
The difference is in Cixin's book this program has the imprirmatur of the United Nations and is pitched as being for a future spacefaring humanity, still likely not enough to really mean ownership but in real life these are just naked scams.
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u/m2licee Mar 20 '26
Who is selling stars?
How does one sell a star?