Astronomers from Belgium's MIRA Public Observatory and the team at Studio Brussel decided to honor late "Starman," David Bowie, with a seven-star constellation that aptly forms a lighting bolt, according to Studio Brussel. It has announced the registration of the lighting bolt a week after Bowie's death on Jan. 11, which was previously covered by HNGN.
"It was not easy to determine the appropriate stars," Philippe Mollet of the MIRA Observatory said, according to the Guardian.
"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," he added.
"But what most people call 'constellations' are actually 'asterisms,' the lines connecting different stars..." according to a press release from MIRA. "Those 'line figures' are not official, they are just an easy way to help people find their way in the sky (for example, we use the Big Dipper to find the North Star). ... And that was what we did: we invented a 'Bowie-asterism' as a tribute to the artist. Nothing more, nothing less."
The constellation in honor of Bowie was chosen since the late legend said he saw the universe and the skies as his inspiration for his music. Bowie as his alter-ego, Ziggy Stardust, was known for hits such as Space Oddity, Starman and Life on Mars, according to the Huffington Post.
There have been many tributes held for the late star such as parties, concerts, and shows but others abroad can participate in the Stardust for Bowie campaign. Fans can make the constellation "brighter" by adding their favorite song of Bowie inside the constellation. Make his lighting bolt brighter by visiting Stardust For Bowie.