Brian May, best known as Queen’s guitarist, helped NASA return its 1st asteroid sample to Earth
In an unexpected collaboration between rock music and space exploration, Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, played a crucial role in NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission to return an asteroid sample to Earth.
May, who holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Imperial College London, has long been passionate about space science alongside his music career. His involvement in the OSIRIS-REx mission showcases the intersection of art and science in his life.
The mission, which successfully returned samples from the asteroid Bennu in September 2023, benefited from May’s expertise in creating stereoscopic images. These 3D images helped scientists better understand the asteroid’s surface and choose the best site for sample collection.
May’s contribution to the mission included:
- Creating detailed stereoscopic images of Bennu’s surface
- Assisting in the analysis of the asteroid’s topography
- Providing insights that aided in selecting the sample collection site
This collaboration highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in scientific endeavors and serves as an inspiring example of how diverse skills and passions can contribute to groundbreaking discoveries.
