Title: Queen Guitarist Brian May Uses Astrophysics Degree to Help NASA Return First-Ever Asteroid Sample to Earth
Subtitle: May also honored with a knighthood in the U.K.’s annual New Year’s Honors list
Byline: [Author’s Name]
[Location], [Date] — Brian May, the legendary guitarist of the band Queen, recently made significant contributions to NASA’s mission to return its first-ever asteroid sample to Earth. May, who holds a doctorate in astrophysics, played a crucial role in the mission by creating stereoscopic images that aided in finding a safe landing spot on the asteroid Bennu.
The sample, consisting of rocks and dust, was obtained from the asteroid Bennu and arrived back in Earth’s orbit on Sunday. May’s expertise was instrumental in ensuring the success of the mission. His images provided valuable insight to the team, enabling them to choose an appropriate landing site on the potentially hazardous asteroid.
May’s fascination with outer space goes beyond mere hobby. As an accomplished scientist, he actively engages in scientific research and understanding the mysteries of the universe. Reflecting on the significance of the returned asteroid sample, May expressed his excitement, stating, “This box, when it is opened, can tell us untold secrets of the origins of the universe, our planet, and life itself. What an incredibly exciting day.”
In addition to his groundbreaking work with NASA, May received another prestigious honor. He was knighted as part of the U.K.’s annual New Year’s Honors list. The knighthood recognizes his significant contributions to both the field of astrophysics and animal welfare advocacy.
Despite being unable to witness the sample’s reception firsthand due to Queen’s upcoming U.S. tour preparations, May congratulated the crew in a video message aired on NASA TV. He expressed his heartfelt support and appreciation as the precious sample was recovered.
The return of the Bennu sample marks the culmination of a nearly two-decades-long mission. In 2016, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was launched, ultimately bound for Bennu. The sample collection occurred in 2020, following the spacecraft’s successful orbit around the smallest object ever to be approached by a spacecraft.
May, who was knighted in March, also co-wrote a book about the mission titled “Bennu 3-D: Anatomy of an Asteroid” with team leader Dante Lauretta. The book delves into the intricate details of the mission and further emphasizes the importance of the scientific endeavor.
By studying the Bennu sample, scientists hope to gain insight into the early solar system and understand how it developed billions of years ago. The asteroid, over 4.5 billion years old, originated from a larger carbon-rich asteroid approximately 700 million to 2 billion years ago. Bennu’s examination promises to unlock invaluable information about planet formation, the origins of life, and potentially hazardous asteroids.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the significance of the mission, stating, “Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid, and what we learn from the sample will help us better understand the types of asteroids that could come our way.”
The sample will be transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for extraction, weighing, and further analysis. Eventually, researchers plan to distribute the sample to scientists worldwide, encouraging collaborative studies and discoveries from this historic mission.
While the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft performed flawlessly in delivering the sample capsule to Earth, it will embark on a new mission to study another asteroid named Apophis, scheduled to be reached in 2029.
Brian May’s contributions to astrophysics and his invaluable assistance in this groundbreaking mission emphasize the significant intersection between music and science. His achievements continue to inspire and contribute to a greater understanding of our universe.
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[Note: The article includes important details regarding Brian May’s career, achievements, and contributions to the recent NASA mission. It highlights the significance of the returned asteroid sample and emphasizes the importance of scientific exploration.]