RE: David Bowie passes, age 69
January 19, 2016 at 10:38 am
(This post was last modified: January 19, 2016 at 10:38 am by Cyberman.)
Please tell me that article is a parody.
Notice those binomial names - Sigma Librae, Alpha Virginis etc? They're not merely the name of the stars, but the address, if you like, of the constellation of which they are already a part. Even when referred to by their 'proper' (usually Arabic) name, they still belong to established constellations; Spica, for example, is Alpha Virginis. Appropriating stars to make a new constellation is no different to making a new country by taking bits of already established ones.
Second, there is no such thing as a constellation "in the vicinity of Mars" or any other planet.
Third, the only organisation with the power to do any of this is the International Astronomical Union. You can't do it just by registering it on the internet.
In short - yes, it would be a lovely tribute. Just don't swallow the snakeoil about it.
Quote:“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.
Notice those binomial names - Sigma Librae, Alpha Virginis etc? They're not merely the name of the stars, but the address, if you like, of the constellation of which they are already a part. Even when referred to by their 'proper' (usually Arabic) name, they still belong to established constellations; Spica, for example, is Alpha Virginis. Appropriating stars to make a new constellation is no different to making a new country by taking bits of already established ones.
Second, there is no such thing as a constellation "in the vicinity of Mars" or any other planet.
Third, the only organisation with the power to do any of this is the International Astronomical Union. You can't do it just by registering it on the internet.
In short - yes, it would be a lovely tribute. Just don't swallow the snakeoil about it.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
