Sir Brian May, Astrophysicist and Guitarist, Honored for Contributions to Physics

Time Stamp: March 17, 2023 1:25 PM
Source Node: 2521555

Sir Brian May, the renowned guitarist of the rock band Queen, was recently honored for his contributions to astrophysics. May, who holds a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London, has been recognized for his work in the field of astrophysics and his dedication to furthering the understanding of the universe.

May’s career in astrophysics began in 1971 when he was accepted into Imperial College London to pursue a PhD in astrophysics. During his time at Imperial College, May worked on a project that studied interplanetary dust and the zodiacal light. His research focused on the use of polarimetry to measure the properties of dust particles in the zodiacal light. The results of his research were published in the journal Nature in 1974.

In addition to his academic work, May has been an advocate for science outreach and education. He has written several books on astronomy and astrophysics, including Bang! The Complete History of the Universe and The Cosmic Tourist. He also founded the charity The Asteroid Foundation, which works to promote scientific literacy and understanding of space science.

May’s dedication to astrophysics has earned him numerous awards and honors, including the Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal in 2018. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Imperial College London in 2019. In 2020, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society for his contributions to astrophysics and science outreach.

Sir Brian May is an inspiration for scientists and musicians alike. His success in both fields is a testament to his passion for science and music. His dedication to furthering our understanding of the universe is an example of how science and art can be combined to create something truly remarkable.