Meet Stellasaurus: The Star-Skull Dinosaur Honoring David Bowie

A newly discovered dinosaur named Stellasaurus has been revealed after fossils were unearthed in Montana. The creature, dating back 75 million years, fills a key gap in the evolutionary chain of horned dinosaurs. Scientists chose the name in tribute to musician David Bowie, inspired by its star-shaped skull. The fossils of Stellasaurus were first found in 1986 near Cut Bank, Montana, by paleontologist Carrie Ancell. The remains lay unstudied for years before researchers confirmed their significance. The dinosaur belonged to the ceratopsian group—plant-eating beasts known for their beaked faces and elaborate frills.

*Stellasaurus* measured around 20 feet long and weighed roughly two tons. Its most striking features included a parrot-like beak, a nose horn, and a bony frill with a distinctive star-like pattern. These traits set it apart from relatives like *Styracosaurus albertensis* and *Einiosaurus*, which it bridges in the family tree. The discovery supports a 1992 theory by paleontologist Jack Horner, who proposed that ceratopsians evolved gradually over time—a process called anagenesis. *Stellasaurus* lived alongside predators such as *Tyrannosaurus rex* and raptors during the late Cretaceous period. The study detailing the findings was published in *Royal Society Open Science*.

The identification of Stellasaurus provides concrete evidence of how ceratopsians transformed over millions of years. Its unique skull and evolutionary position help clarify the lineage between older and newer species. The dinosaur’s name, honouring Bowie, now marks a permanent place in scientific history.