NamedLight Blog
Astronomy tips, gift ideas, and stories from the stars.
Astronomy & Space Science
What Does a Star's Spectral Class Mean?
Every star in the HYG Database has a spectral class — a letter and number code like G2, K5, or M3. It's one of the most information-dense pieces of data in astronomy, and it tells you more about a star than almost anything else.
Astronomy & Space Science
How Far Away Is a Star? Understanding Light Years
Your NamedLight registry page lists your star's distance in light years. But what does that number actually mean? Here's a plain-language guide to one of astronomy's most important concepts.
Astronomy & Space Science
What Is the HYG Star Catalog? The Database Behind NamedLight
The HYG Database is one of the most comprehensive catalogs of nearby stars ever assembled. It's also the foundation every NamedLight registration is built on — here's what it is and why it matters.