Frequently Asked Questions

Why adopt a star from Orlando Science Center?


Will I be able to see the star I have adopted?


What does the Adopt-A-Star Certificate say?

Each Adopt-A-Star Certificate is personalized and includes; your name (or a recognition name), your star’s official International Astronomical Union (IAU) designation, proper and common names, distance from Earth, constellation, magnitude and spectral type. You will also receive educational information and a star map to help locate your star.

How long is the adoption period?

The adoption date is for a period of one year. You may renew as often as you like. Many people choose to participate in the Adopt-A-Star program to commemorate a birth date, marriage date, anniversary, special holiday - you name it!

How are stars chosen for adoption?

Stars seen at night appear to have a wide range of brightness and were first put on a quantitative scale by the Greek astronomer Hipparchus around 130 BC. He arranged the visible stars in order of apparent brightness on a scale which ran from 1 to 6, with the brightest stars ranked “1”. The ranks were called magnitudes; a star was said to be of the first magnitude, third magnitude, and so forth.

Astronomers today continue to rate the magnitude of a star with a scale that gives brighter stars a low number and dim stars a higher number. All of the stars available for adoption from Orlando Science Center have a magnitude of 1, 2 or 3. Generally speaking, from a populated urban area, stars of magnitude 3 are usually visible to the eye without the aid of a telescope.

After I place my order, how long until I receive my Adopt-A-Star packet?

Packets are shipped in the order they are received. Depending on your location, you should receive your Adopt-A-Star packet in approximately one to two weeks. You can authorize an additional charge for United States Postal Service (USPS) priority delivery or FedEx to ensure quicker delivery.

Can certificates say "in memory of" or "in honor of"?

Absolutely. You may also wish to include a personal message.

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