When the space race was on in the last 1960s, David Bowie released what was to become one of his most well-known songs, Space Oddity. It seemed to be appropriate, considering all that was happening with the moon missions. He then went on to write additional space themed songs, including Starman and Life on Mars. More than any other artist, he has inspired out love and exploration of space.
That is why we feel it is only fitting that Belgian astronomers have named a star constellation after David Bowie. It is coming on the heels of the news of his death, just a week earlier.
The constellation is a group of 7 stars that forms a lightning bolt. It looks identical to the bolt of lighting on his 1973 album, Aladdin Sane. That bolt has become one of his most iconic images.
The naming of the new constellation is a collaboration between a radio station and the MIRA public observatory in Belgium. You can find the new constellation on the interactive Google Sky map. While there, you can post messages or tag a favorite song by the late artist.
Philippe Mollet, who works at the MIRA Public Observatory had the following to say:
“It was not easy to determine the appropriate stars. Studio Brussels asked us to give Bowie a unique place in the galaxy. Referring to his various albums, we chose seven stars – Sigma Librae, Spica, Alpha Virginis, Zeta Centauri, SAA 204 132, and the Beta Sigma Octantis Trianguli Australis – in the vicinity of Mars. The constellation is a copy of the iconic Bowie lightning and was recorded at the exact time of his death.”
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