Adopt a Star
the non-profit alternative that supports astronomy research
Since 2008, the Pale Blue Dot project has raised research funding for scientists through this non-profit adopt a star program for Kepler targets. When you adopt a star, 100% of your donation supports the search for Earth-like planets and characterization of the target stars by an international team of astronomers. Within a few minutes you will receive an email with links to view your star and download your star certificate from our online database ★ Read more »
Adopt a target star $10 Adopt a double star $15 Adopt a candidate planet host $25 Adopt a planetary system $50
Adopt a target star for only $10!
All target stars have been observed for up to 4 years by the Kepler space telescope, as part of a search for alien planets. Choose your star by entering its KIC #, enter the name you wish to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now.
Two ways to choose your star (KIC #):
- Select by number
Search for a special date, like 0214 - Select brightest available
Simply click Donate Now—the brightest KIC # is entered by default
Adopt a double star for only $15!
All double stars come from the Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog. These are two stars embraced in the cosmic dance of gravity, which appear as a single point of light in the sky. Choose your star by entering its KIC #, enter the name you wish to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now.
Two ways to choose your star (KIC #):
- Select by number
Search for a special date, like 214 - Select brightest available
Simply click Donate Now—the brightest KIC # is entered by default
Adopt a candidate exoplanet host star for only $25!
These are stars listed in the NASA Exoplanet Archive where a planet-like signal has been found, but where a variety of other scenarios that could mimic a planet have not yet been conclusively ruled out (more than 80% are expected to be real planets). Choose your star by entering its KIC #, enter the name you wish to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now.
Two ways to choose your star (KIC #):
- Select by number
Search for a special date, like 214 - Select brightest available
Simply click Donate Now—the brightest KIC # is entered by default
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 number and are marked with a special blue icon in Google Sky. Choose your star by entering its KIC #, enter the name you wish to appear on the certificate, then click Donate Now.
Two ways to choose your star (KIC #):
- Select by number
Search for a special number, like 42
- Select brightest available
Simply click Donate Now—the brightest KIC # is entered by default
News Coverage
- Kepler Mission Discovers Over 1,000 New Planets (WORT radio, 11 May 2016)
- The Curious Adventures of an Astronomer-Turned-Crowdfunder (MIT Technology Review, 02 Mar 2015)
- Astronomers Find Ancient Earth-Sized Planets in Our Galactic Backyard (Slate, 27 Jan 2015)
- Oldest Planetary System Discovered, Improving the Chances for Intelligent Life Everywhere (Universe Today, 27 Jan 2015)
- Is anybody out there? (NBC television Denver, 26 Jan 2015)
- A Star With a Not-So-Nice Nickname for Putin Won’t Have to Change (TIME, 07 Jul 2014)
- No Plans to Rename Star Offending Putin (Moscow Times, 04 Jul 2014)
- Astronomers Find the Tiniest Exoplanet Yet (Slate, 20 Feb 2013)
- NASA Discovers The Smallest Planet Outside Our Solar System (Forbes, 20 Feb 2013)
- Searching for Sister Earth (KGNU radio, 09 Oct 2012)
- Space Telescope Listens In on Stellar Symphony (Wired News, 26 Oct 2010)
- Stars put up for adoption to fund exoplanet research (New Scientist, 17 Aug 2009)
- Adopt a Star, Help Fund Science (Space.com, 13 Aug 2009)
- These Stars Need You (Sky & Telescope, 14 Jan 2009)
About the Pale Blue Dot Project
WHO WE ARE: I’m Travis Metcalfe, an astronomer at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado. I started this non-profit adopt a star program in January 2008 to help raise research funds for the Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium, a large international team of scientists. Our work is central to the science goals of the Kepler mission, but NASA is not allowed to fund foreign organizations—that’s why we need your support!
WHAT WE DO: The Kepler space telescope was launched by NASA in 2009. Over four years, it monitored the brightness of more than 150,000 stars in the constellations Cygnus and Lyra. Some of the target stars have planets, and some of those planets pass directly in front of the parent star. The small dip in light that we see as the star is eclipsed tells us the size of the planet relative to the star. We determine the absolute sizes and ages of these planetary systems by measuring the properties of the parent stars.
WHY CHOOSE US: We are professional astronomers, and this program is run by a 501(c)(3) non-profit 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 Kepler target 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 a credit card or PayPal 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.