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Time of India
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Instant scholar: From rock star to astrophysicist, Brian May's celestial pursuit of interplanetary dust
Representative image In the world of rock music, Brian May is celebrated as the iconic guitarist of Queen , a band that redefined the musical landscape of the 1970s and 80s. With his homemade 'Red Special' guitar and genre-defining solos in hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and I Want It All, May carved his name into rock legend. But behind the stage lights and amplifiers, another passion flickered—one rooted not in music, but in the mysteries of the cosmos. This lesser-known chapter of Brian May's life came full circle in 2007, when he completed a long-delayed PhD in astrophysics, nearly four decades after beginning it. Titled "A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud", May's doctoral thesis is a blend of meticulous observational astrophysics and theoretical analysis, focusing on the interplanetary dust that forms the Zodiacal Cloud—a faint, diffuse band of light visible in the night sky under ideal conditions. This dust, remnants of comets and asteroid collisions, orbits the Sun and plays a crucial role in our understanding of the solar system's formation and dynamics. A Thesis Interrupted by Stardom Brian May first began work on his PhD at Imperial College London in the early 1970s. A physics and mathematics graduate, he was fascinated by solar system phenomena. Under the supervision of renowned astronomer Jim Ring, May embarked on an ambitious observational programme to measure the Doppler shifts in the light scattered by dust particles in the zodiacal cloud. His goal: to determine the radial velocities—essentially, the speed and direction of motion—of these dust particles relative to Earth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When Knee Pain Hits, Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away (It's Genius) Click Here However, May's academic journey was soon interrupted. Queen's rise to stardom was meteoric, and the demands of touring, recording, and public life meant his research took a back seat. For over 30 years, the project was left incomplete, but it remained on his mind. 'I never gave up hope that one day I would return to it,' he said in interviews. In 2006, with encouragement from former collaborators and Imperial College faculty, he dusted off his old notes, updated the literature review to reflect decades of advances, and resumed his research. The Science Behind the Stardust The zodiacal cloud is composed of countless micron-sized dust particles that orbit the Sun in the plane of the ecliptic. This dust reflects sunlight, producing a faint glow known as zodiacal light, most easily seen just before sunrise or after sunset in areas with minimal light pollution. Though ethereal in appearance, the dust has significant scientific relevance. Its dynamics help scientists understand the processes that shaped the early solar system, and its interaction with planetary bodies and solar radiation continues to influence space weather. Brian May's approach to studying this dust was through spectroscopic analysis—specifically, by examining the Doppler shifts in the Mg I (magnesium) absorption line at 5183.6 angstroms in the scattered sunlight. This shift provides information about the velocity of the scattering dust particles along the line of sight. If a particle moves toward Earth, the absorption line shifts slightly toward the blue end of the spectrum; if it moves away, the line shifts toward the red. To collect the necessary data, May constructed and deployed a pressure-scanned Fabry–Pérot interferometer—a highly precise optical instrument designed to measure very small wavelength shifts in light. Observations were conducted at the Teide Observatory on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, where the high altitude and clear skies made it an ideal location. Over two extended observing sessions in 1971 and 1972, May gathered more than 250 Fabry–Pérot scans of the zodiacal light from various points along the ecliptic. These spectra were later digitized and analysed for shifts in the Mg I line, allowing the determination of radial velocities of the dust in different parts of the sky. Findings and Implications May's results showed that the dust particles in the zodiacal cloud do not move in a purely circular fashion. Rather, their motion exhibited asymmetries that suggest a mixture of orbital inclinations and eccentricities. In particular, he found evidence for a retrograde component—a subset of particles moving in the opposite direction to the planets' orbits—as well as signs of interstellar dust inflow, consistent with theories that our solar system continuously sweeps up material from the interstellar medium. His measurements also supported a Keplerian motion model, wherein the dust follows elliptical orbits governed by the Sun's gravity, but also pointed to the influence of Poynting–Robertson drag—a process by which dust spirals slowly toward the Sun due to the combined effect of solar radiation pressure and the particles' own orbital motion. In the broader context of planetary science, May's work adds observational depth to the understanding of how dust evolves within the solar system. These insights are vital for calibrating space instruments, planning interplanetary missions, and understanding the debris environment through which spacecraft travel. A Thesis Completed—and a Scientist Reborn In 2007, May successfully defended his thesis and was awarded a PhD by Imperial College London, more than 36 years after beginning the work. The completed dissertation included a new literature review covering the intervening decades of research on interplanetary dust, updated data analysis methods, and critical comparisons with satellite missions like IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite) and Helios, which provided additional context and validation. The completion of the thesis also marked May's full-circle return to science. He co-authored the popular science book Bang! – The Complete History of the Universe with astronomer Sir Patrick Moore and astrophysicist Chris Lintott, and later became Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. His blend of music and science has inspired students and fans alike, showcasing that intellectual curiosity knows no genre. Reflections on Dual Legacies Brian May's doctoral thesis is more than a scientific contribution—it is a testament to perseverance, intellectual ambition, and the bridging of two seemingly disparate worlds. In a sense, May represents the rare individual who refused to choose between his passions and instead found harmony between them. 'I'm a scientist at heart,' May has said. 'Music is my emotional outlet, but science is my way of understanding the universe.' Through 'A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud', May has made a meaningful mark in the field of astrophysics, proving that rock stars can reach for the stars in more ways than one. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here's What Happened at the Royal Swedish Ceremony That Honored Queen's Brian May & Roger Taylor and Herbie Hancock
Legendary rockers Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, master jazz artist Herbie Hancock and conductor/soprano and contemporary classical musician Barbara Hannigan received their Polar Music Prize awards from the hands of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in the Vinterträdgården room of Stockholm's elegant Grand Hôtel on Tuesday (May 27). The 500-plus-person audience, made up of Swedish royalty, music industry players (artists, songwriters, publishers, execs and more) and friends and family of the laureates, rose to its feet many times during the six-hour event, as each of the laureates delivered heartfelt speeches. Hannigan thanked her mentors with a special mention for her (five minutes older) twin brother Brian; Hancock spoke of his father's support for his musical career even though he wanted his son to be an engineer; and May also talked about his late father Harold, who helped him build his original Red Special electric guitar (also known as the 'Old Lady'), which May owns to this day. More from Billboard Looking Back on 30 Years of Sweden's Polar Music Prize Morgan Wallen's 'I'm the Problem' & 'What I Want' With Tate McRae Launch Atop Billboard's Country Charts Post Malone Brings Out NBA Legend Allen Iverson for 'White Iverson' Performance in Philadelphia The event began with a royal ceremony, in the presence of not just the King but several members of Sweden's Royal Family, followed by a multi-course banquet. The laureates were serenaded during both halves of the Polar Music Prive evening by a number of Swedish and international musicians playing music written by or performed by the three musical icons during their careers. Jazz vocalist/bassist Esperanza Spalding and pianist/producer Robert Glasper got an ovation for their rendition of the Hancock composition 'Trust Me,' and returned to the stage to perform Hancock's seminal 'Watermelon Man.' Spalding then teamed with Argentinian pianist Leo Genovese for a stunning performance of Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now,' in honor of Hancock's 2007 album River: The Joni Letters. That tribute album to Mitchell won the Grammy for album of the year in 2008. The audience did not wait for that performance to end to give it a standing ovation. Similar ovations showed the attendees' love for Adam Lambert's versions of Queen's 'Who Wants to Live Forever' at the ceremony and 'Another One Bites the Dust' at the banquet, as May and Taylor looked on approvingly. The biggest ovation of the night went to Sweden's Ghost, who recently topped the Billboard 200 with their album Skeletá. Frontman Tobias Forge donned a golden mask and was accompanied by Swedish heavy metal guitarist Fredrik Åkesson and the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, singing a cappella from a balcony high above the banquet tables, for a tour-de-force on 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' As the evening was coming to a close, Marie Ledin, managing director of the Polar Music Prize and daughter of the award's founder, ABBA manager Stig 'Stikkan' Anderson, received an overwhelming response from the banquet guests as she thanked her father as well as her mother Gudrun, the Royal Family, the laureates and the entire assembled audience. Ledin spoke about each of the laureates in turn: 'Let me begin with Queen – this much-loved band are truly rock royalty! As a big fan myself, I've been lucky enough to have seen them in concert several times here in Stockholm. They taught me that music can be bold, dramatic, fascinating and fun. 'Herbie Hancock is a true musical pioneer and one of the most influential musicians of our time. He has taught us that music can challenge us intellectually even as it enriches our soul. Herbie has deservedly earned the admiration of musicians across all genres. 'Barbara Hannigan is a visionary soprano and conductor, and a passionate advocate for contemporary music. With her avant-garde experimentation, she proves that classical music does not have to live in the past, but is a living, breathing art form in itself.' The 2025 laureates were also honored by the presence of three previous laureates, Max Martin (2016), Anne-Sophie Mutter (2019) and Nile Rodgers (2024). One more special guest was Anita Dobson, who was in attendance with her husband Brian May. Dobson is having an especially great week, as she has guest starred on every episode of the current season of the BBC's Doctor Who and will play a large part in the season finale on Saturday (May 31), though she wouldn't reveal any details about the conclusion of her story arc to Billboard (as she shouldn't). The Polar Music Prize was first awarded in 1992, to Paul McCartney and the Baltic States, newly independent from the former Soviet Union. Since then, the prestige of the prize has only grown, with awards going to artists from all over the world. A partial list includes Elton John, Ravi Shankar, Metallica, Ennio Morricone, Led Zeppelin, Renée Fleming, Grandmaster Flash, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Isaac Stern, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Sonny Rollins, Diane Warren, Gilberto Gil, B.B. King, Emmylou Harris, Yo-Yo Ma, Miriam Makeba, Björk, Wayne Shorter, Patti Smith, Dizzy Gillespie, Chris Blackwell, Iggy Pop, Angélique Kidjo, the Kronos Quartet, Youssou N'Dour and Chuck Berry. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brian May's first Gibson signature is here – and it's got nothing to do with the Red Special
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. After announcing their unexpected partnership early last year, Gibson and Brian May have unveiled their first collaborative signature guitar creation – and it's not a Murphy Lab Red Special. Instead, the legendary Queen guitarist has been honored with a 12-string SJ-200 acoustic guitar. When May and Gibson first confirmed they would be working together, many speculated that the partnership would lead to Custom Shop (and maybe even Epiphone) recreations of the iconic Red Special. Hype was further fanned when May himself revealed to Guitar World that reissues of the DIY guitar he made with his father were indeed on the cards, but it seems we'll have to wait a little longer for a Gibson Red Special. For their first drop, the pair have instead prioritized a 12-string SJ-200, which was designed specifically for May after he required one for tour. However, it's quite unlike your standard 12-string – not only are 12-string SJ-200s exceptionally uncommon, this particular example has also been altered to suit May's personal strumming style. As May explains in a press release, his signature SJ-200 flips the 12-string script on its head by reversing the order of the octave and regular acoustic guitar strings. 'The idea for this guitar came when I needed a 12-String on tour, and the one I was accustomed to wasn't performing right on stage,' May explains. 'The guys at Gibson very kindly said, 'We'll make you something special that you can use on the tours.' 'One of the things I asked for was for the octaves to be placed around the other way from where it is normally done, because I like to pick upwards and hear the top notes when I'm playing. I like to hear the high octave coming through as then I can play tunes on it.' A bevy of top-notch tonewoods form the foundation of May's first Gibson, with AAA rosewood back and sides lining up alongside an AAA Sitka spruce top that boasts an elegant Vintage Sunburst finish. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Elsewhere, there's a rosewood fingerboard with agoya shell eight-point star inlays, a planetary themed pickguard designed by May, and gold Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, as well as a solid rosewood moustache bridge, walnut stringer and Fishman Matrix electronics. All in all, it's a very pretty SJ-200 indeed, but as May is quick to point out, it's also a display of refined acoustic guitar engineering. The decision to reverse-mount the strings – so the thicker-gauge strings are on top of the thinner octaves – is a small but influential decision that will have a huge impact on its tone and playability. As Gibson puts it, it lends itself to 'a distinctive sound that's unlike other Gibson 12-String acoustic models'. May, unsurprisingly, is impressed: 'If you look at this guitar, the beauty of it, and the beauty of the sound, and look at the science in this guitar, look how much technology and craftsmanship has gone into this guitar. 'Gibson was able to put the universe on it in a figurative way and the planet Mercury is here, and that is a little nod to a friend of mine that is always with me.' Image 1 of 4 Image 2 of 4 Image 3 of 4 Image 4 of 4 'As a trailblazing sound pioneer, trendsetter, and one of the most influential musicians of all time, it's an absolute privilege to be collaborating with Sir Brian May,' says Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson, of the new release. 'Brian's impact on music and culture is second to none and was a transformational influence on my personal music journey. We are deeply honored that Brian has trusted Gibson with this SJ-200 12-string guitar, and we are excited to finally bring it to music lovers around the world.' Only 100 of these 12-string SJ-200s will be made, and they'll be available for $7,999 via the Gibson Garages in Nashville and London, and on the Gibson website. Head over to Gibson to find out more. Image 1 of 3 Image 2 of 3 Image 3 of 3
