David Bowie has been honoured with his very own constellation shaped in an iconic lightning bolt. Astronomers in Belgium plotted the seven stars in honour of the late singer, and the constellation mimics the red and blue lightning bolt that David famously had painted on his face for the cover of his 1973 album Aladdin Sane.
The universe was undoubtedly one of David's greatest inspirations. The rock star first found fame with his single Space Oddity, while his other hits included Starman and Life on Mars? In the seventies he embraced the glam rock era with his alter ego Ziggy Stardust.
His music even made it into outer space in 2013 when Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performed Space Oddity on board the International Space Station.
The constellation sits appropriately close to Mars
The new constellation, which sits close to Mars and was recorded at the exact time of the singer's death, is therefore a fitting tribute.
Radio station Studio Brussels came up with the out-of-this-world idea and called on the help of the MIRA Public Observatory to plot the stars. Forming the constellation was no easy feat though.
It is made up of seven stars in the shape of David's iconic lightning bolt
"It was not easy to identify the appropriate stars," said Philippe Mollet from MIRA. "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 at the exact time of his death. The constellation looks like an exact copy of the iconic Bowie lightning."
The new constellation is part of the Stardust for Bowie project, where fans around the world can use Google Sky to add their favourite Bowie song to a virtual version of the stars.
The singer created his alter ego Ziggy Stardust in the seventies
David sadly passed away on 10 January following a secret cancer battle. Fans have been mourning his loss with tribute nights and by laying flowers, candles and messages in his native Brixton.
His 25th and latest album Blackstar, which was released two days before the singer's death, is on course for being number one for a second week running.