Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.

A dedicated star

Formosa

golden · Leo · HD 100655

Dedicated to

Maya

by Her sister, June · August 12, 2026

You were born on the brightest night of my life. Whenever you feel small, remember: there is a star that has carried your name since before you could read it — and it is still up there, still burning, still yours.

This dedication

Dedicated to
Maya
Dedicated by
Her sister, June
Recorded
August 12, 2026
Held until
August 12, 2027

When this dedication ends, Formosa becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.

Formosa at a glance

Constellation
Leo
Other name
HD 100655
Catalogue number
HIP 56508
Distance
399 light-years
Brightness
Magnitude 6.45 naked-eye
Star type
G9III
Colour
golden
Best seen from
Almost everywhere on Earth
Right ascension
11h 35m 04s
Declination
+20° 26′ 30″

Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.

Where can you see Formosa?

It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.

Formosa belongs to Leo.

Frequently asked questions about Formosa

Is Formosa the brightest star?
Formosa shines at magnitude 6.45 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
How far away is Formosa?
Formosa is approximately 399 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 399 years ago.
Which constellation contains Formosa?
Formosa is part of Leo.
Can everyone see Formosa?
It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.
Is dedicating Formosa an official astronomical renaming?
No. Formosa keeps its internationally recognised astronomical name. An AsterNym dedication records your personal name and message in the AsterNym registry without changing the star's scientific identity.

Explore nearby stars

AsterNym dedications are personal commemorative records: they are not recognized by the International Astronomical Union, do not change scientific catalogue names, and do not confer ownership of a star.