A NASA scientist involved with the mission asked the legendary British guitarist behind "Bohemian Rhapsody"—who also holds a doctorate in astrophysics—to contribute some music to play as the flyby occurs. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy Describing the atmosphere in mission control during the fly-by, May conjures the climactic scene of every space adventure ever filmed – when boffins in shirtsleeves lean back from their computers and punch the air in jubilation. Astrophysicist Dr. Brian May is recognized during a July 17, 2015 New Horizons science briefing at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. May spent a … Brian May went on to become a world-famous musical performer both with his band, Queen, as well as a noted solo performer. Brian May on Nasa, Ultima Thule and why Bohemian Rhapsody isn’t ‘all about sex’ Save Space man: Brian May says his visit to Nasa mission control … Just the seemingly tiny world is big enough to destroy a city. For May, the most distant fly-by in history had a personal dimension. Please refresh the page and try again. Scientists do not yet have a clear picture of exactly what Ultima Thule is, whether a single object or a cluster, spanning about 19 miles (30 kilometers) in diameter. Daryl Hall interview: ‘The definition of cool is hiding your emotions – I'm not cool’, Diary from St George’s: ‘We’re back at square one – we can’t hold larger scale commercial events’, Nick Mason on the Pink Floyd feud: ‘I’m not Henry Kissinger – I’m more Neville Chamberlain’, Elizabeth Llewellyn, Wigmore Hall, review: gloriously full-blooded and warm-hearted singing, Ronnie Scott’s after the curfew: ‘It's such a difficult time – only the fittest will survive’, The Covidiocy Chronicles: Noel Gallagher becomes a maskless Wonderwally, Noddy Holder interview: ‘We lived like rock ’n’ roll stars – and I don’t regret it’, Julian Joseph, Snape Maltings, review: effusive maximalism – and a tribute to Mum, Abel Selaocoe, Kings Place, review: Bach meets Bobby McFerrin. Career in Astrophysics As a graduate student, May had been interested in studying dust particles in the solar system and had published two research papers. Our image of the day. “You know what I’d really like? The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. NY 10036. Queen guitarist Brian May has just released his new single 'New Horizons', on January 2019. Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Because Ultima Thule is an untouched planetesimal (an object formed by dust and pebbles sticking together), created at the dawn of time, May believes it could yield clues to the origins of life. But planetesimals and moons aren’t the only vast phenomena in May’s orbit. You can be assured our editors closely monitor every feedback sent and will take appropriate actions. May says such brief jaunts don’t really interest him. Your opinions are important to us. And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. New York, “Anyone who has seen the film knows it’s not sanitised … If you’ve seen it you know we haven’t ducked any issues whatsoever.” The fact that Bohemian Rhapsody was censored in countries like Malaysia for showing too much sex proves his point, he argues. Probably longer.”, Brian May’s New Horizons is available to download at https://lnk.to/NewHorizons. Visit our corporate site. "For me it's been an exciting challenge to bring two sides of my life together—astronomy and music," said May in a statement. One day these results could be crucial for saving our planet," May said. We thought it would do well but it seems to have gone well outside Queen fans. In late 2016, however, the European Space Agency cancelled AIM to free up more funding for the ExoMars program, which will be launching a Mars rover mission in the summer of 2020. Thank you for taking your time to send in your valued opinion to Science X editors. The track is a widescreen rock epic peppered with his trademark guitar shreds and lyrics about “never-ending wonders in a limitless sky”. This argument took root after online “idiots” reviewed the trailer, not the film, he says. Both spacecraft are expected to bring samples back to Earth for further analysis.