In the film, planet Ethos orbits Tabby's Star. This star (a.k.a. KIC 8462852) is a real sun in the constellation Cygnus approximately 1,470 light-years from Earth. Many hypothesis try to explain its unusual light fluctuations, including comet swarms, black holes, and even an alien mega-structure.
Lieutenant Resniks character is an homage to Judith Arlene Resnik (April 5, 1949 - January 28, 1986), a NASA astronaut who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger when it was destroyed during a mission launch.