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David Bowie Gets a “Constellation” from Belgian Astronomers

Admit it: you thought radio station publicity stunts were always stupid, didn’t you?

Maybe nearly all of them are. But not the latest one by Studio Brussels in Belgium, which persuaded a public observatory to dedicate a David Bowie constellation. We may never know in our lifetimes “Is there life on Mars?” but as of now, we do know there’s lightning in the stars…and they look very diff-e-rent, todaaaay.

Philippe Mollet of MIRA Public Observatory explained in a statement, “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.”

So it’s true! Ziggy Stardust is now a Starman having a Moonage Daydream and Soul Love with Lady Stardust, not to mention the Five Years he spent with the Spiders from Mars. (However, because only the International Astronomical Union can designate constellations, this Bowie is actually called an “asterism,” like the Big Dipper. And “vicinity of Mars” is only relative. Still cool though.)

Via Google Sky, fans are encouraged to pick a spot inside the constellation in which to name their favorite Bowie song or memory, but it isn’t comprehensive. I tried leaving a mark for “I’m Deranged” from the Lost Highway soundtrack, and it was not recognized as one of his titles. Serves me right for acting like such a hipster.

Rather than feeling blue, as if there’s nothing I can do, I’ll just leave this here then…

Is your favorite obscure Bowie song available in the Google Sky? Let us know if you have more luck than I did posting your memory!

h/t: Rolling Stone

image: Stardust for Bowie

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