Brian May of Queen played a crucial role in NASA mission to bring the largest asteroid sample to Earth.

The legendary guitarist, who is also an astrophysicist and received his PhD from Imperial College in 2007 – he helped to identification of the location from which the sample was taken. Brian May is specialist in stereoscopya process in which two two-dimensional images are used that, when viewed from both eyes, create the sensation of a three-dimensional impression.

The procedure was necessary to help locate the position, from which the spacecraft could collect samples without being damaged.

The capsule containing about 250 grams of rock and dust collected from asteroid Bennu as part of NASA’s Osiris-Rex mission landed by parachute in the Utah desert yesterday.

Brian May and his collaborator Claudia Manzoni helped to shortlist potential sites for sample collection.

“I always say you need the art as much as the science,” May told the BBC. “It’s an artistic matter. The field must be sensed to know if the spacecraft is likely to fall or collidehe said.

In a new message, May emphasized that he is proud to have participated in the historic mission.

“I am very proud to be part of the OSIRIS-REx team,” he told Nasa TV. “I can’t be with you today, I wish I could, but I’m rehearsing for a Queen tour, but my heart goes out to you as this precious specimen is recovered. Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard on this mission” write down.