Asteroid Named After Elliott Smith

An asteroid has been officially named after the late, great Elliott Smith. Orlando Campopiano, an independent filmmaker based in Edinburgh, worked with Smith's estate to submit a proposal to the International Astronomical Union, and the governing body opted to say yes. Now there's a big rock out there in the sky bearing Smith's name. Here's how Campopiano explains it in a statement to Stereogum:

With the full backing and approval of the Elliott Smith Estate and the PAN-STARRS discovery team, I recently spearheaded a formal proposal to the International Astronomical Union to have a minor planet permanently named in his honor.

We just received official approval, and the designation is now live: Asteroid (861969) 2014 OS439 is officially "Elliottsmith".

Something very interesting about this is that, the catalogue number for the asteroid is 861969, directly mirroring his birth date of 8/6/1969!

It's coming up roses everywhere you go, Orlando! Keep an eye out for Elliottsmith next time you're stargazing.