<p>Some people feel bad when people don't offer condolences after a loss. It's not as if you're going to ask for a recommendation or profess love afterwards, so it wouldn't be sucking up. Some things you probably shouldn't say are trying to minimize the problem or telling the professor to see the positive side, because that might show that you really don't think it's a big deal.</p>
<p>Do you think you could take a little collection from the whole class of about $5 each? There are star registrys online where you can actually name a star after someone and date it with a memorial date. I know it is very touching to receive a gift such as this, and someday your professor and his family may actually go up into an observatory and find his little girl's star. There are many sites available, but the one we received was from internetstarregistry.com, but there are many others. I'm sure others in your class are also wondering how to proceed, for some it does not come as natural to know what to say as it does to others. A thoughtful gift from all of you, even if just for flowers to be delivered to the service, would be really special. Don't ever feel like you are sucking up at a time like this. He needs all of the support he can get.</p>
<p>don't waste money on one of those "star" registeries. They don't own the rights to name a star, the names they assign aren't recognized by any astronomical authority. </p>
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[quote]
But International Star Registry certainly doesn't have a license to name stars. Robert Naeye, editor of Mercury Magazine, a publication of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, puts it in no uncertain terms: "The star names sold by the International Star Registry are not recognized by any professional astronomical organization."</p>
<p>The International Astronomical Union is the only scientific body authorized to name astronomical bodies.</p>
<p>The International Star Registry is not in the business of officially assigning star names; it is in the business of finding people willing to part with their money for a piece of paper that in a scientific sense means precisely nothing.</p>
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<p>well that sucks, thanks for burning out my little star</p>
<p>You obviously are a person who cares about your professor-I encourage you to share your thoughts-by a card-or email-or flowers. Wouldn't you want the same support if something happened to you?</p>