One real star’s light left it the year they were born and reaches Earth this year. We find that star and put it on their card.
0.00light-years old
Their star
light-yearslight left
Every star on the card is real.
Their real sky, from ESA’s Hipparcos measurements.
Denebola is 35.9 light‑years from Earth.
Every star sits at its own real distance.
1990
Its light leaves Denebola the year Dana is born.
And reaches Earth this year.
Your words inside.
And where to look up on their birthday night.
No. Nobody can own a star, and naming services aren’t recognized by astronomers. The gift is the real star, its real light, and where to see it.
A star’s distance in light-years is how long its light takes to reach us. We match that to their age, using distances measured by ESA’s Hipparcos satellite (HYG catalog), and prefer a star they can see with their own eyes.
No star is closer than 4.2 light-years, so under 4 the card says the year their light arrives. Up to about 21 the stars are fainter, and binoculars help.
The digital card is ready the moment you pay, with a reminder at 8 AM on their birthday. Printed cards are made in 1–3 business days and arrive about a week later, in the US. We email you the tracking number.