Astronomers name lightening bolt constellation after Bowie

Seven stars that together form a lightening bolt shape have been registered by the MIRA Public Observatory in Brussels under the name David Bowie.

The constellation is close to Mars.

MIRA has also teamed up with Belgian radio station, Studio Brussels, to create a website for the constellation where fans can add their favourite Bowie song to a Google Sky image of the stars.

Philippe Mollet from MIRA said:

"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 lightening and was recorded at the exact time of his death."

The MIRA Public Observatory is the oldest star viewing platform in Belgium. It houses large telescopes for night-time viewing, as well as solar telescopes.

Watch the videos for David Bowie's space-influenced hits, 'Space Oddity' and 'Starman', as well as the original trailer for Bowie film, 'The Man Who Fell To Earth' below: