Legendary guitarist Brian May, known for his role in the iconic rock band Queen, has made waves once again, this time in the realm of citizen science. May recently shared his involvement in NASA’s historic asteroid sample collection mission, OSIRIS-REx.
The mission, led by University of Arizona researcher Dante Lauretta, collected a sample from an asteroid called 101955 Bennu. On September 24, the sample made its triumphant return to Earth. May, alongside fellow citizen scientist Claudia Manzoni, was invited to examine the visual data collected by the mission.
Using a technique called stereoscopy, May and his collaborators searched through images taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to create a 3D effect and the illusion of depth from 2D images. This involved finding pairs of images taken from different viewpoints, known as the “baseline,” to provide a realistic perception of depth.
To achieve a stereoscopic view, pairs of 2D images are required, allowing for a parallax effect created by subtle differences between the images taken from slightly different viewpoints. May explained that this delivery of separate images to each eye mimics how we see in real life and allows our brains to perceive depth and solidity in the image.
May found prime opportunities for stereoscopic imaging in the photographs taken of the Bennu sample after its return to Earth in the Utah Desert. The moments when the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism head was flipped over provided multiple angles capturing the intimate structure of a few grains of the dark, coal-black sample.
While the best stereoscopic view requires an actual stereoscope, May suggested that it is possible to achieve a false 3D view by relaxing the eyes and essentially “staring through” the screen.
The interest in examining asteroid material like Bennu’s stems from the desire to understand the composition of these ancient rocky bodies. Scientists believe that asteroids could provide insights into the formation of our solar system approximately 4.6 billion years ago. Untouched asteroids like Bennu may offer clues about the material that accumulated to form protoplanetary disks surrounding our infant sun.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft launched in 2016 and took two years to reach Bennu, which measures 1,720 feet in diameter. After studying the asteroid from a distance for two years, the spacecraft descended to Bennu’s surface and collected a sample. In 2021, OSIRIS-REx commenced its 1.2 billion-mile journey back to Earth, successfully dropping off the Bennu sample last month.
Now renamed OSIRIS-APEX, the spacecraft has set its sights on another near-Earth asteroid called Apophis. By 2029, OSIRIS-APEX will enter an orbit around Apophis, enabling scientists to further investigate this space rock.
Brian May’s involvement in NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission showcases the powerful collaboration between art and science. His contribution, along with that of citizen scientists like Claudia Manzoni, demonstrates the significance of interdisciplinary efforts in expanding our understanding of the universe.