1.1. We are pleased to welcome you to the International Catalogue of Heavenly Bodies (ICHB.ORG) website. This document (which we refer to as the “Agreement”) helps us establish the rules for using our website, databases, and services (collectively referred to as the “Services”). Please read it — it is important for comfortable and safe cooperation.

1.2. By accessing, browsing, registering, or using any of our Services, you confirm that you have reviewed this Agreement, fully understand its terms, and accept them. Our relationship is also governed by the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Legal Information. All these documents together form the set of rules for our interaction, and by using the Services, you also confirm that you have reviewed them and accept their terms.

1.3. ICHB.ORG is a living, constantly evolving scientific project. Our Services include access to the Catalogue database, information search, name registration for celestial objects, educational materials, profile management, and other useful features. We strive to ensure they operate smoothly, but like any technology project, we may perform maintenance or updates.

1.4. For your convenience, we may translate this Agreement into other languages. If for any reason discrepancies arise, the English language version, available at https://ichb.org/agreement/, shall prevail.

1.5. Our Services are intended for adults who are at least 18 years old. If you are registering on behalf of an organization, you confirm that you have the right to do so.

1.6. We care about the quality of our service. Therefore, in exceptional cases when it is necessary to protect the reputation of the catalog or the rights of other users, we may suspend an account or refuse service. Of course, we will try to notify you in advance if the situation allows.

2.1. To access certain features, such as accessing the register of registered names of celestial bodies, you may need to create an account. Please provide accurate information — this will help us quickly resolve any issues if they arise.

2.2. You are responsible for keeping your password secure. If you notice anything suspicious (for example, someone has hacked your account), write to us immediately — we will help.

2.3. We value your trust and hope for mutual respect. If we notice that an account is being used for actions that harm the project or other people (for example, spam, insults), we may suspend it. But as a rule, we always try to contact you first and resolve the issue amicably.

2.4. Even if you decide to delete your account, some records (for example, already registered names in the catalog) will remain, as they are part of scientific history. This is normal practice for similar projects.

2.5. Want to delete your account? This can easily be done in your profile settings, or just write to us and we will help.

3.1. Our Catalog is a vast knowledge base where we collect and systematize the names of stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies. We take information from open scientific sources, observatories, and our partners to make it accessible and understandable.

3.2. Access to the Catalog is open to everyone, but it has different levels:

3.2.1. Guest Access. You can freely explore the main part of the catalog to learn something new about space.

3.2.2. Registered User Access. If you create an account, additional features will open up: saving queries, downloading data, and much more.

3.2.3. Access for Scientists and Journalists. Representatives of science and media can request expanded access, for example, for downloading large datasets.

3.2.4. Priority Access. We are also pleased to cooperate with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and its representatives, providing them with additional privileges.

3.3. We provide all levels of access based on our capabilities and your needs. We strive to be flexible and are always open to dialogue.

3.4. Science does not stand still, so information in the Catalog may be updated. We monitor this to ensure the data is always current.

3.5. To make the site work conveniently and quickly, we use cookies. You can learn more about them in our Cookie Policy. You can configure them in your browser at any time.

4.1. One of our most interesting services is registering a name for a star or other celestial body. We will be happy to help you do this. The process is simple and transparent.

4.2. By submitting a name, you confirm that:

4.2.1. You have every right to do so (for example, the name does not violate anyone else’s rights).

4.2.2. The name does not offend anyone and does not violate laws.

4.3. We reserve the right to reject an application if the name does not comply with our rules or ethical standards (for example, if it duplicates an existing one or is offensive).

4.4. It is important to understand a few simple things:

4.4.1. By registering a name, you do not become its legal “owner.” The name is like the name of a mountain: it serves for identification and belongs to everyone.

4.4.2. The celestial body itself, of course, cannot be your property either — it is part of space.

4.4.3. Entering a name in our catalog is an important step for its recognition, but we cannot guarantee that it will be automatically recognized by all international organizations. The scientific world is complex, and that’s normal.

4.4.4. If you (or the person in whose honor the object was named) want to change the name, this can be done by contacting us or our partner through whom the registration was made. We are always open to such questions.

4.5. Name registration may be a paid service. The cost is always indicated on the website or on our partner’s website before payment. Funds paid for registration are non-refundable, as we have already performed the work of verifying and entering the record.

5.1. You can share your materials with us, such as comments or suggestions (we call this “User Content”). We appreciate it!

5.2. By publishing content, you guarantee that it is your own and does not violate anyone’s rights. We do not check every comment, but if we notice something clearly illegal or offensive, we may remove it. Deal?

5.3. For our site to work, and for your ideas (for example, proposed names) to become part of the catalog, we need certain rights to use the content. You grant us a simple, non-exclusive license that allows us to store, publish, and display this content within the framework of the project. You retain all your rights.

5.4. We ask you to be mutually respectful and not violate the general rules:

5.4.1. Do not use the site for illegal actions.

5.4.2. Do not impersonate others.

5.4.3. Do not try to hack the site or steal data.

5.4.4. Do not send spam or infect the site with viruses.

5.4.5. Respect other users.

6.1. The site itself, its design, code, database, and all materials that we have created (except those provided by users) belong to us, ICHB.ORG. We protect them as our intellectual property.

6.2. You can use the site, study materials, download data for personal or scientific purposes. But please do not copy or distribute them for commercial purposes without our permission. If you use our data in your work, simply provide a link to ICHB.ORG — that will be the best thanks.

6.3. The name “ICHB.ORG” and our logo are our trademarks. Please do not use them without permission.

7.1. We collaborate with many scientific organizations and may place links to their sites. This is done for your convenience. We do not manage these sites and are not responsible for their content. If you follow a link — just keep in mind that their own rules apply there.

7.2. Mentioning partners is a sign of our respect for their work. But this does not mean that they share all our views or are responsible for us. Each organization has its own path.

8.1. We try very hard to ensure that the information in our Catalog is accurate and useful. But astronomy is a complex science, and knowledge about space is constantly being updated. So please understand: we provide our Catalog and Services “as is.” This is a standard approach for similar resources.

8.2. This means that:

• Data may be refined. We cannot guarantee their absolute immutability. Science does not stand still.
• The site may be temporarily unavailable. For example, during maintenance. We try to do this quickly and unobtrusively.
• We are not responsible for external sites. As already mentioned above.

8.3. If you use our data for serious scientific research, we recommend double-checking it against primary sources. This is common scientific practice.

8.4. In some countries, laws may not allow such limitations. In that case, we act within the framework of local legislation.

9.1. We are a team with you, and we do not want any misunderstandings to mar our cooperation. So let’s agree on reasonable limits right away.

9.2. We cannot be held liable for:

• Decisions made based on Catalog data. Information is provided for reference, and the final decision is always yours.
• Actions of third parties, including other users or owners of external sites.
• Technical failures caused by circumstances beyond our control (for example, internet problems or hacker attacks). We, of course, protect the site, but ideal protection, unfortunately, does not exist.

9.3. In any case, even if a dispute arises, our maximum liability to you is limited to the amount you paid us over the last 12 months (if you paid at all), but shall not exceed $100 USD. This is a standard and fair practice for similar services worldwide.

10.1. We hope this does not happen, but if someone suddenly makes a claim against us because of your actions (for example, because of a name you proposed), we will count on your help in resolving this matter. This is called “indemnification” — you agree to protect us from such claims if they arise through your fault.

11.1. We are always for dialogue. If disagreements arise, we will try to resolve them peacefully, just by talking to each other.

11.2. If we cannot reach an agreement, then we will be guided by the laws of the Republic of Cyprus. This is a reliable and respected European jurisdiction.

11.3. We both agree that any disputes will be considered individually, not as part of a class action lawsuit. This is fairer to everyone.

12.1. This Agreement together with the Privacy Policy and other documents constitute our main understanding. It supersedes all previous oral and written discussions.

12.2. Even if any part of this document is for some reason found inapplicable, all other conditions remain in force.

12.3. If we do not require compliance with a rule now, it does not mean that we cannot require its compliance in the future.

12.4. You may not transfer your rights and obligations under this Agreement to another person without our consent. We, in the event of a project reorganization, may transfer them to a new owner to maintain continuity of work.

12.5. This Agreement does not create a partnership, agency relationship, or joint venture between us. We are independent participants.

12.6. Our relationship is governed by this document, and third parties cannot demand anything under it.

12.7. We are not responsible for force majeure circumstances: wars, natural disasters, government decisions, and other events that cannot be foreseen or prevented.

12.8. If we need to send you an official notice, we will do so by email or through the site.

12.9. Headings in this document are for convenience only and do not affect the meaning.

12.10. Some provisions of this Agreement (for example, concerning intellectual property or limitation of liability) continue to apply even after you have stopped using our services.

12.11. The world changes, and we change with it, which is why we may update this Agreement. The current version of the User Agreement that has legal force is always available at https://ichb.org/agreement-full/. By continuing to use the site, you confirm that you have reviewed the current version at the provided link and accept its terms.

Latest Update: February 1999