Music
18 Jun 26

An asteroid has been named after Elliott Smith

More than two decades after his death in 2003, Smith has been immortalised with a celestial tribute.

An asteroid has been named after Elliott Smith.

Orlando Campopiano, an independent filmmaker based in Edinburgh, got the idea while listening to 'Shooting Star' from Smith's posthumous album From A Basement On The Hill. Working with Smith's estate, he submitted a proposal to the International Astronomical Union.

The International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) officially approved the name change of Asteroid (861969) to Elliottsmith. The asteroid's numerical designation also mirrors Smith's birth date - August 6, 1969.

"I hope this introduces at least one person to Elliott's brilliant discography, and I'm so happy to see a permanent legacy in the stars!" said Campopiano.

"To have this tribute to him blessed by the estate and discoverers is also a great honour."

The honour places Smith in a select group of musicians memorialised in asteroids, including David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Frank Zappa, and all four members of the Beatles.

Smith emerged onto the music scene as the co-frontman of the Portland, Oregon, grunge-rock band Heatmiser, formed in 1992. Before breaking out as a solo artist in 1994. 'Miss Misery' was the track that earned him an Academy Award nomination and mainstream spotlight after being featured in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting.

The singer-songwriter died in his home in Los Angeles on October 21, 2003, at the age of 34, stabbed to the chest.