 The only internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies is the International Astronomical Union ( IAU ) . A number of private companies sell names of stars , which the British Library calls an unregulated commercial enterprise . The IAU has disassociated itself from this commercial practice , and these names are neither recognized by the IAU nor used by them . One such star @-@ naming company is the International Star Registry , which , during the 1980s , was accused of deceptive practice for making it appear that the assigned name was official . This now @-@ discontinued ISR practice was informally labeled a scam and a fraud , and the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs issued a violation against ISR for engaging in a deceptive trade practice . 
 The only internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>the International Astronomical Union ( IAU ) . A number of private companies sell names of stars , which the British Library <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>calls</mark></a> an unregulated commercial enterprise . The IAU <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>has</mark></a> disassociated itself from this commercial practice , and these names are neither recognized by the IAU nor used by them . One such star @-@ naming company <a href='drop_aux' title='4'><mark>is</mark></a>the International Star Registry , which , during the 1980s , was accused of deceptive practice for making it appear that the assigned name was official . This now @-@ discontinued ISR practice was informally labeled a scam and a fraud , and the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs issued a violation against ISR for engaging in a deceptive trade practice . 
The only internationally recognized authority fir naming celestial bodies the International Astronomical Union ( IAU ) . A number of private companies sell names of stars , which da British Library call an unregulated commercial enterprise . TdaIAU done disassociated itself from this commercial practice , and these names are neither recognized by the IAU nor used by em . One such star @-@ naming company thdanternational Star Registry , which , durin theda80s , was accused of deceptive practice fir makin it appear that the assigned name was official . This now @-@ discontinued ISR practice was informally labeled a scam and a fraud , and the da York City Department of Consumer Affairs issued a violation against ISR for engaging in a deceptive trade practice .