David Bowie Is A Constellation Now

One more legendary rock star may be gone from this world but one, in particular, now has officially found his place in the universe. David Bowie was honored with a lightning bolt-shaped constellation registered in his name by astronomers from the MIRA Public Observatory in Belgium, according to the Guardian. First of all, that is totally insane and cool, and second, I really didn't realize how much of an effect Bowie had on the general populace until his death. How many stars get real-live stars in honor of them? How many English rock stars are big enough hits in Brussels that they are honored in this way? Only Bowie.

This homage to the late great is incredibly fitting. The stars and universe were a prominent theme in Bowie's music with songs such as "Life on Mars," "Space Oddity," and "Starman." He also had an alter ego called Ziggy Stardust from the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, who was an alien messenger who delivers his word through rock and roll. Meanwhile, he played an alien on a rescue mission to find water on earth in The Man Who Fell To Earth. I actually can't imagine a more perfect tribute.

The constellation, which is in the vicinity of Mars, is comprised of seven stars: Sigma Librae, Spica, Alpha Virginis, Zeta Centauri, SAA 204 132, and the Beta Sigma Octantis Trianguli Australi. And if possible, even more fitting, it is in the shape of a lightning bolt, an homage to the album cover of Aladdin Sane, in which Bowie rocks a lightning bolt over his left eye.

You can add a tribute to the constellation yourself by heading to Stardust for Bowie, a Google Sky initiative through Studio Brussell. On the website, you can leave a message in the borders of the constellation or play a favorite Bowie song.

Bowie proves even through death that he was one of the coolest guys in the universe. I can't believe I didn't realize how great his impact was on our lived (and probably extra-terrestrial lives, too) until his too-soon death. His love for his craft and the stars is something we can all aspire to. When you're looking up at Mars tonight, make sure to remember the Starman.