Adopt-a-Star
The Bishop's University Astronomical Observatory is run as a "not for profit" operation. However, we do depend on donations from the public and our Capital Campaigns to fund new equipment for the facility.
If you would like to help, we have the "Adopt a Star" program, where you can adopt a star for five years and can unofficially name it after a friend, loved one, an event, or even yourself. (Only the International Astronomical Union can name stars officially, thus you cannot officially buy or name a star for yourself.)
Stars selected are visible from areas located in the Northeast regions of North America most of the year and an official star catalogue name is cross-referenced on the presentation certificate that you will receive. We allocate only one certificate to each star, so the star selected and recorded on your certificate is unique to you. The brightness of the star depends on the amount of the donation.
Price Chart
| Category | Adoption Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| $CAD | $US | |
| Magnitude greater than 3 | $250 | $180 |
| Magnitude between 2 and 3 | $300 | $220 |
| Magnitude less than 2 | $500 | $360 |
Please note, currently there are only stars visible from the Southern Hemisphere available for the $500.00 category.
Each adoption category represents the magnitude or brightness of the star, with 0 being the brightest and 6 being the faintest visible object. On a clear night in a rural area, it is possible to see up to a magnitude of 6, but in the city, one can only see stars with a magnitude of 3 or lower.
Adopt-a-Star pack
Your Adopt-a-Star pack contains
- A presentation certificate suitable for framing, dedicating the selected star to a nominated person or event (for all categories)
- A star chart showing where to find the star in the night sky (available for magnitude 3 stars or brighter)
- A planisphere or star-finder (only available for magnitude 2 stars or brighter). We may also add an Observer's Calendar depending on availability.
Sample Planisphere
Sample Certificate
Ordering Information
These packs can take up to 5 business days to be made up, so we cannot do same day deliveries. You can check expected delivery times with us when you place your order. Be sure to consider shipping time as well.
Alternatively, you can use the Donation Page of the Alumni Relations & Philanthropy Office. Please indicate under the "Gift Preferences" section the name of the person or event after which you wish to name your star.
Canadian residents who adopt a star will automatically be issued an official receipt for income tax purposes. If you do not reside in Canada, you may request either a regular receipt or an official receipt; however, you might not be able to use the official receipt for income tax purposes. Please consult your local tax office for further information.
For more information, contact the Alumni Relations & Philanthropy Office by email or call (819) 822-9660.