Queen guitarist Brian May says it’s only a matter of time until humanity is destroyed by a giant asteroid hurtling into the earth.
May – who has a doctorate in astronomy – is one of a group of scientists who are calling for efforts to be increased to detect asteroids capable of causing widespread destruction of the planet.
May tells the Financial Times: “The more we learn about asteroid impacts, the clearer it becomes that the human race has been living on borrowed time. The campaign launched this week is intended to raise awareness and put pressure on governments to act.”
More than 100 people have joined the call for governments and private business to do more to track and detect asteroids.
Britain’s royal astronomer, Lord Rees, says that detecting the mass of small objects that could cause destruction on earth would require an infrared telescope mounted on a spacecraft orbiting between Earth and Venus.
Meanwhile, Queen and Adam Lambert will play 10 UK dates next year.
Queen and Adam Lambert 2015 UK dates
Jan 13: Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Jan 14: Glasgow Hydro
Jan 17: London O2 Arena
Jan 20: Leeds First Direct Arena
Jan 21: Manchester Phones 4 U Arena
Jan 23: Birmingham NIA
Jan 24: Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Feb 24: London Wembley Arena
Feb 26: Liverpool Echo Arena
Feb 27: Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
