Queen frontman Freddie Mercury died in 1991; it just so happens that the same year, a distant asteroid was discovered by astronomers. In honor of what would have been the influential singer's 70th birthday, that asteroid is now taking on Mercury's name, BBC reports — a rather appropriate tribute for a man who sang, "I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky."
Queen guitarist Brian May said Asteroid 17473 Freddiemercury reflects "Freddie's outstanding influence in the world."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2024Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - natural gas, fundraising with Ted Cruz, and more
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
-
5 generously funny cartoons on the $60 billion foreign aid packageCartoons Artists take on Republican opposition, aid to Ukraine, and more
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
