A Spanish woman, Ángeles Durán, has once again gone viral after reviving her controversial assertion that she legally owns the Sun and should be entitled to charge humanity for its use of solar energy.
Durán, a resident of Galicia in Spain, originally made headlines in 2010 when she registered the Sun as her property through a local notary office in Salvaterra do Miño. She described the Sun as a G2-type star and argued that international law contained a loophole: while nations are prohibited from claiming ownership of celestial bodies under the Outer Space Treaty, individuals were not explicitly barred.
According to Durán, she simply acted before anyone else thought to do so.
“The treaty says no country can own the Sun, but it doesn’t say an individual can’t.”
She later proposed charging people for solar energy usage, with portions of the revenue supposedly allocated to pensions, scientific research, and hunger relief—while retaining some profits personally.
Legal Reality
Despite the unusual registration, legal experts widely agree that Durán’s claim has no enforceable standing under international law. Notary registration does not override global treaties, and celestial bodies remain part of humanity’s shared heritage.
Experts emphasize that:
- No private individual can legally own the Sun
- International space law rejects unilateral private claims
- Notary documents do not establish sovereignty over outer space
Previous Legal Battles
In 2014, Durán reportedly attempted legal action after an online marketplace blocked her efforts to sell “plots” of the Sun, further underscoring the novelty—but legal weakness—of her position.
Why It Keeps Going Viral
The story continues to circulate because it blends:
- Legal loophole arguments
- Space ownership debates
- Internet humor and curiosity
Questions about the future of private claims in space exploration
While Durán’s declaration remains largely symbolic, it continues to provoke discussion about how laws may evolve as humanity expands further into space.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
