David Bowie passes, age 69

[MTL]

Please tell me that article is a parody.

“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.

Oh.....that's disappointing.  It thought that would be really cool.  :/