On the International Astronomical Union's website
there is a pleasantly worded page
of no-nonsense information on the Naming of Astronomical Objects,
which is definitely worth a quick perusal.
Link to: IAU, "Buying Stars and Star Names"
(On a related page of theirs, there is, of course, more scientific detail.)
Link to: IAU, "Naming of Astronomical Objects"
In addition, the following (timeless) September 2008 article from Space.com
contains some very interesting historical particulars on this topic.
Link to: "Look, Up in the Sky! Strange Star Names."
