BRIAN HAS STARS IN HIS EYES AGAIN

27 Jul 2007

SUNDAY EXPRESS
By Ted Jeory
published: 22 July 2007, p22

WHEN legendary Queen guitarist Brian May touches down on the Canary Island of La Palma today even this seasoned traveller will feel a flutter of excitement.

For the millionaire musician is going back to the future as part of a mission to resume the vocation he gave up for music 36 years ago.

After decades of mingling with a galaxy of stars, he is returning to his first love - looking at them.

The former would-be astronomer will spent the next three days taking part in scientific astronomical observations using the Telescopio Nacional Galileo in the Observatory of the Roque de Los Muchachos.

Back in 1971, May was a 24-year-old part-way through a PhD programme at Imperial College, London, when Queen hit the big time.

Although he abandoned his physics doctorate he maintained his interest, frequently appearing on the BBC'S Sky At Night and working with the likes of Sir Patrick Moore on scientific projects, and he spent time at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, 36 years ago.

He finally completed his doctorate earlier this month. And this week, he will carry out spectroscopic observations to study the formation of the zodiacal dust cloud.

The tiny particles of this interstellar dust reflect sunlight and produce a visible spectrum which can be detected in skies which are very dark and free from light contamination.

The quality of the sky seen from La Palma and the powerful telescope there convinced May, who turned 60 lsst Thursday, to choose the island for his investigations where he will work in collaboration with Dr Garik Israelian.

Last night Dr Israelian said: "I have no doubt that Brian May would have had a brilliant career in science had he completed his PhD in 1971. Nevertheless, as a fan of Queen, I am glad he left science temporarily."

May, who is married to former EastEnders actress Anita Dobson, recently published a book on astronomy with Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott called Bang! The Complete History of the Universe.

According to May, who was born and raised in Middlesez, the book's intention is "to inform, to stimulate,to entertain, and hopefully to provide inspiraton for a new generation of potential astronomers."

[reproduced courtesy of www.brianmay.com]

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