A star as a birthday present

Most birthday presents are opened, enjoyed and forgotten. A star is different: a real star in the night sky, recorded under their name, that they can find again every year on their birthday.

Why a star makes a good birthday present

• It's personal. The star carries the name you choose: theirs, a nickname, or a message such as "Grandad's 80th".
• It's real. Every star we register is a real star, with its catalogue number, position and constellation on the documents.
• It lasts. From November 2026 every star has its own page on this website, so they can look it up, show it to friends and print new copies whenever they like.
• It suits any age. Children love finding "their" star with binoculars; for big birthdays it's a keepsake that stays on the wall.

What they'll unwrap

A gift pack with a Certificate of Registry, a Star Area Co-ordinates Sheet showing where the star is and when it is highest, a welcome letter, and a fold-out star chart of the night sky.

Ideas for the name

• Their full name, for a formal certificate to frame
• A milestone: "Emma's 18th", "Dad at 60"
• A family name for a star the whole family shares

Will they be able to see it on their birthday?

Stars move through the seasons, so not every star is high in the sky every month. The Altitude graph on the co-ordinates sheet shows when theirs is best placed. Most of our stars need a pair of binoculars to see. How to find a star in the night sky.