Adopt a Star
the nonprofit alternative that supports astronomy research
Since 2008, we have raised research funding for scientists through this nonprofit adopt a star program. Within a few minutes of your donation, you will receive an email with instructions to download your certificate and view your star in Google Sky. All proceeds support the search for Earth-like planets and characterization of the target stars by a team of astronomers ★ More about us »
Adopt a target star $10Adopt a double star $15Adopt a suspected planet host $25Adopt a confirmed planet host $50Adopt a bright star $100
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Target stars are fainter, and are not available in all constellations. Double stars are popular gifts for Valentine’s Day and anniversaries. Suspected planet hosts are stars that might have planets around them, while confirmed planet hosts definitely have planets. Bright stars can be seen without a telescope, and are available in every constellation in the sky.
Adopt a target star for only $10!
All target stars have been observed for up to 4 years by NASA space telescopes, as part of a search for Earth-like planets. Enter the name you want to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now. You can choose a specific star by entering a star #. Need more than one star? Use the Shopping Cart to adopt many stars with a single payment.
Two ways to choose a star:
- Select the brightest available
Just click Donate Now, you get the brightest star by default - Select by constellation / number
Search your constellation for a special number, like 0214
Adopt a double star for only $15!
All double stars come from the Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog. These are two stars in orbit around each other, which appear as a single point of light in the sky. Enter the name you want to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now. You can choose a specific star by entering a star #. Use the Shopping Cart to adopt many stars with a single payment.
Two ways to choose a star:
- Select the brightest available
Just click Donate Now, you get the brightest star by default - Select by constellation / number
Search your constellation for a special number, like 214
Adopt a suspected planetary system for only $25!
These are suspected planetary systems identified in the NASA Exoplanet Archive, which are still waiting to be confirmed with additional observations. Enter the name you want to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now. You can choose a specific star by entering a star #. Use the Shopping Cart to adopt many stars with a single payment.
Two ways to choose a star:
- Select the brightest available
Just click Donate Now, you get the brightest star by default - Select by constellation / number
Search your constellation for a special number, like 214
Adopt a confirmed planetary system for only $50!
These are confirmed planetary systems identified in the NASA Exoplanet Archive. All of these stars have an official Kepler or K2 number. Enter the name you want to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now. You can choose a specific star by entering a star #. Use the Shopping Cart to adopt many stars with a single payment.
Two ways to choose a star:
- Select the brightest available
Just click Donate Now, you get the brightest star by default - Select by constellation / number
Search your constellation for a special number, like 42
Adopt a bright star visible without a telescope for $100!
These are the brightest stars observed by NASA space telescopes. Under a dark sky they are visible with the unaided eye or using binoculars; no telescope is required. Enter the name you want to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now. You can choose a specific star by entering a star #. Use the Shopping Cart to adopt many stars with a single payment.
Two ways to choose a star:
- Select the brightest available
Just click Donate Now, you get the brightest star by default - Select by constellation / number
Search your constellation for a special number, like 214
WHO WE ARE: I’m Travis Metcalfe, an astronomer at White Dwarf Research Corporation in Golden, Colorado. I started this nonprofit adopt a star program in January 2008 to help raise research funds for the Kepler/TESS Asteroseismic Science Consortium, a large international team of scientists. Our work is central to the science goals of the Kepler and TESS missions, but NASA is not allowed to fund international organizations—that’s why we need your support!
WHAT WE DO: NASA launched the Kepler space telescope in 2009. It targeted nearly 200,000 stars in the summer Milky Way, followed by 300,000 stars all around the sky. Some of the stars have planets, and some of those planets pass directly in front of their star. We determine the sizes and ages of these planetary systems by measuring the properties of their stars. Kepler has stopped collecting new observations, but TESS launched in April 2018 to survey nearly the entire sky. We have a lot of work to do!
WHY CHOOSE US: We are professional astronomers, and this program is run by a 501c3 nonprofit organization. You can feel confident that your donation will support cutting-edge research on the stars that you adopt. So adopt a star and support our work! Who knows? Maybe an Earth-like planet will be found around the star that you adopt—how cool would that be?
HOW IT WORKS: First, select a star from our database. If you don’t choose a specific star, we will give you the brightest star available. Next, enter the name or dedication that you would like on your certificate. Finally, click the Donate Now button and complete your donation using your credit card or bank account. Within a few minutes our automated system will send you an email with links for you to download your certificate and view your adopted star in Google Sky.
WHERE IS MY CONSTELLATION?
Aquarius ★ Aries ★ Cancer ★ Capricorn ★ Gemini ★ Leo ★ Libra ★ Pisces ★ Sagittarius ★ Scorpius ★ Taurus ★ Virgo
News Coverage of Adopt a Star
Answers to Common Questions
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE OUR EMAIL: Check your PayPal email address and your junk email (spam) folder.
IF YOU NEED A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATE: Search our database for the name or number on your certificate.
TO FIND YOUR STAR WITH A TELESCOPE: Use the coordinates from your star page with this star chart or atlas.
TO SUPPORT OUR WORK WITHOUT ADOPTING A STAR: Donate in any amount through this donation link.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: Please send your email directly to Travis.