Rocking the skies: Asteroid named after legendary rockstar Freddie Mercury on his 70th birthday!

New York: As a tribute to the Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, an asteroid has been named in the late singer's honour on his 70th birth anniversary.

Brian May, the lead guitarist of the legendary 70s rock band, who also owns a doctorate in astrophysics, announced the development on Twitter.

"Happy Birthday Freddie!" he wrote. "They already named a planet after you, but this little ROCK is a bonus! ha ha."

The asteroid which up till now, was known as 17473, is far from the rock legend's namesake planet but, is in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The Minor Planet Center, part of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory based at Harvard University, issued a citation timed for Mercury's birthday on September 5.

"His distinctive sound and large vocal range were hallmarks of his performance style, and he is regarded as one of the greatest rock singers of all time," it said.

The asteroid was discovered in 1991, the same year Mercury died due to complications from AIDS.

Brian May also shared a video of the asteroid's movement on his website, accompanied by Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now." Check it out!

(Video courtesy: Queen Official)

(With Agency inputs)