From A Star To The Star Belt

Posted October 3, 2007, 12:07 pm in Television by Growing Bolder

George Takei is a star - but now, he's also an asteroid. The International Astronomical Union's Committee on Small Body Nomenclature (yes, that is the real title) just approved a plan to rename a piece of outer space after the actor who is best known as Hikaru Sulu in the original "Star Trek" series. Two Japanese astronomers found the asteroid in 1994, and named it 1994 GT9. Now, it will forever be known as 7307 Takei, in honor of the actor.

www.georgetakei.com

www.georgetakei.com

Takei is 70 years old. He tells the Associated Press that he was blown away by the decision. "It came out of the clear, blue sky - just like an asteroid."

Anyone can "buy" a star - several Web sites offer special deals. But the IAU committee makes it official. The space rock will join asteroids named for Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, and Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura. A Mount Holyoke College astronomy professor actually came up with the idea to name the asteroid after Takei. He says the change honors Takei not only for his acting, but for his partnership with the Japanese American Citizens League, and with the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign.

Takei currently appears on NBC's "Heroes" and is a regular guest on Howard Stern's satellite radio show.