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An Asteroid Has Been Named After Freddie Mercury (vice.com)

Posted by msmash on from the honor-system dept.

An anonymous reader shares a Motherboard report: Freddie Mercury, frontman of Queen and transcendent being of pure performative joy and vitality, would have been 70 years old this Monday, September 5. To celebrate the occasion and honor Mercury's enormous impact on pop culture, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has officially changed the name of Asteroid 17473, located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, to "Freddiemercury." It's a fitting tribute to the man who exuberantly sang that he was "a shooting star leaping through the sky" in the heart-thumping rock rager "Don't Stop Me Now." Queen's lead guitarist Brian May, who also happens to be an astrophysicist with a namesake asteroid of his own, announced the news to the band's fans via YouTube on Sunday. Mercury's asteroid is about three and a half kilometers across, and has an albedo of about 0.3, which means it reflects only about 30 percent of the Sun's light. "It's a dark object, like a cinder in space, as many of these asteroids are," May said. "It's just a dot of light, but it's a very special dot of light."

7 of 58 comments (clear)

  1. Too much by hawguy · · Score: 5, Funny

    He already had an entire planet named after him, why does he need an asteroid named after him too?

  2. I suppose people would recognize that... by Creepy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Freddy Mercury's real name is Farrokh Bulsara. Brian May didn't have a stage name.

    1. Re:I suppose people would recognize that... by KozmoStevnNaut · · Score: 2

      No, Freddie legally changed his name around when they started Queen.

      --
      Eat the rich.
  3. Re:In exchange for the astronomical recognition by reboot246 · · Score: 2

    That's a short song. You should listen to some classical music every once in a while to hear some loooooooong pieces. Try Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. It's nice and long.

  4. It's the thought that counts. by Snufu · · Score: 2

    "Freddie, we named a planet after you. The one that is cheek to cheek with a star."
    Freddie: "Allright!!"
    "We also named an element after you. Also known as 'quicksilver'"
    Freddie: "How fitting!"
    "We also named a dark dead rock next to a bunch of other dead rocks after you."
    Freddie: "Oh...you...shouldn't have."

  5. Re:Great man. by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2

    If your social circle lets the likes of FM and BR influence their impressions of your facial hair, you could find a better crowd to hang out with.

    I have a full and manly mustache, which is waxed every day. I also use lavender oil to keep it redolent.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  6. Re:In exchange for the astronomical recognition by Hotawa+Hawk-eye · · Score: 2

    How about the ongoing performance of As Slow As Possible at St. Burchardi church in Halberstadt, Germany?