Brian Harold May, the legendary lead guitarist of Queen, is a rock icon but also an accomplished astrophysicist. May graduated from the prestigious Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at Imperial College London. His passion for science didn’t stop there; he had nearly completed his Ph.D. thesis on infrared astronomical research when Queen’s meteoric rise to fame interrupted his academic pursuits.
However, May’s dedication to science remained unwavering, and he eventually earned his Ph.D. in astrophysics. His thesis, “A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud,” was published, adding to his impressive list of scientific contributions.
He has authored several scientific papers, including publications in renowned journals like Nature and the Royal Astronomical Society's monthly newsletter. Balancing his time between touring with Queen and conducting astronomical research, May exemplifies how one can excel in both the arts and sciences.