Twinkle twinkle, our little stars

Last night Paul and I received a most special gift from his family: they had stars named by the International Star Registry in memory of Aliya and Bennett. The stars are in the constellation Leo, because our babies ended up being born Leos (instead of Sagittarians or Aquarians like they should have been). Aliya's star, according to the booklets that came with the lovely certificates and and star maps, is right on the bridge of Leo's nose. Bennett's is on the lion's cheek. They're not side by side, but very close together in the heavens.

Aliya's certificate reads:
"Know ye herewith that the International Star Registry doth hereby redesignate star number Leo RA 9h 58m 57s D 29 degrees 6 feet to the name Aliya Amy Lagerquist. Know ye further that this start will henceforth be known by this name. This name is permanently filed in The Registry's vault in Switzerland and recorded in a book which will be registered in the copyright office of the United States of America."

Bennett's is the similar, but his star number is RA 10h 8m 30.46s D 25 degrees 21 feet 38.13 inches. They book their stars' names will be recorded in is the Your Place in the Cosmos, Volume IX.

The stars are too far away to see with the naked eye. We've talked about getting a telescope before, and I think this amazing gift will prompt us to move that purchase up higher in the priority list. I want to see them twinkle there.

Paul's brother said last night that he always thinks of them when he looks up and can see the stars. We do, too. Actually, just a few nights ago, as I took the dog out to pee before bed, it was clear and cold, and when I looked up I couldn't stop the tears. Now, I can direct my eyes to Leo's head and imagine our babies there.

Aliya's star is up by the 30 degree line.
Bennett's is slightly down and to the left.
Both are circled red. Diagram from Wikipedia.