Valentine aims for the stars

In the sky

A Valentine’s Star? Could be…It is red… A bright red star that has been referred to as the Valentine’s Day star because it is at its highest point above the horizon every Valentine’s Day night between the hours of 8 and 9 p.m. It marks the shoulder star of Orion and its name is Betelgeuse.
A heart shaped constellation? This might be a stretch – but back in 2001, astronomers at the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science in Boston plotted a new constellation of stars that resembles the shape of a heart.
The planetarium received a request to search the cosmos for a heart-shaped star pattern from the New England Confectionery Company, makers of Sweethearts Conversation Hearts. The Heart Constellation contained stars from the constellations of Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, and Gemini. At the heart’s point is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. To my knowledge, this constellation was never officially recognized and, try as I might, I could not locate a star chart that contained this created constellation.
A song about constellations and love? Actually, yes! Constellation of the Heart by Kate Bush. Some of the lyrics: We take all the telescopes and we turn them inside out, and we point them away from the big sky. Put your eye right up to the glass, now, and here we’ll find the constellation of the heart.
Name a star for your Valentine? Well…kind-of. The International Astronomical Union does not recognize any “names” for stars that may be purchased from whatever organization you choose. However, for a price from as low as free and upwards of a few hundred dollars, you can “name a star” for your valentine. For the price you may receive any or all of the following: A star chart pointing out ‘your star’, a certificate naming your star, a personal letter, wallet card, and of course many add on items that are available to purchase.
One Website even offers a sterling silver Tiffany-style bracelet with custom engraving on a heart shaped pendant. I suppose what it comes down to is what is memorable to you and your valentine. Some will say that using any of the star naming companies is only a scam – the way I look at it is – you are paying for a memory right?
Whether that be chocolates that will be gone within the day, dinner and a movie, or jewelry. The thing everyone is shooting for is a memorable Valentine’s Day; something to tell the kids or co-workers about.
So as long as the buyer understands that they are not actually buying their own star, then what is the harm? And if your Valentine should happen to light up with a smile then it’s worth it, right?