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Elliott Smith Honored with Celestial Tribute: Asteroid Bears His Name
19 Jun
Summary
- An asteroid has been officially named Elliottsmith in tribute to the musician.
- Filmmaker Orlando Campopiano initiated the asteroid naming tribute.
- The asteroid's catalogue number mirrors Elliott Smith's birth date.
American musician and songwriter Elliott Smith, known for hits like 'Waltz #2 (XO)', has been permanently honored with a celestial tribute. Nearly 23 years after his passing in October 2003 at age 34, an asteroid has been officially named after him. The minor planet, discovered in 2014, is now designated as (861969) Elliottsmith.
This interstellar honor was the initiative of Edinburgh-based independent filmmaker Orlando Campopiano. Campopiano conceived the idea while listening to Smith's song 'Shooting Star' and subsequently reached out to Smith's estate. The proposal received approval from the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN).
A fascinating detail is that the asteroid's catalogue number, 861969, precisely matches Elliott Smith's birth date of August 6, 1969. An official citation published by the IAU confirms the naming in honor of the musician, born Steven Paul Smith.
Elliott Smith joins a galaxy of stars, including David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, and Freddie Mercury, who also have asteroids named in their honor. For those new to his work, his 1997 album 'Either / Or', which featured songs in the film 'Good Will Hunting', is a recommended starting point.
