Sir Brian May
Sir Brian May, CBE, PhD, ARCS, FRAS is a founding member of the rock group Queen, a world-renowned guitarist, songwriter, producer, performer, 3-D photographic authority, author, publisher, and passionate campaigner for animal rights. A graduate of Imperial College London, Brian started a PhD in Astrophysics but in 1974 music took over, and it was not until 2006 that he was able to complete his studies at Imperial and was awarded his PhD in 2007. Since then he has co-written five astronomy books, and has worked with NASA, ESA and JAXA providing 3-D imaging for numerous current space missions.
Professor Derk Ward-Thompson
Professor Derek Ward-Thompson studied Physics at Oxford University before doing a PhD in Astrophysics at Durham University studying spiral galaxies. He carried out further research at Cambridge University and at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, before obtaining a lectureship at Cardiff University. He now carries out research and teaches across a range of subjects in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Lancashire. His particular expertise lies in studying the space in galaxies in between the stars, known as the inter-stellar medium, as well as interstellar magnetic fields, from the most diffuse regions space to the dense environments around the event horizons of black holes. He is part of the ‘Event Horizon Telescope Consortium’, which published the first ever image of a black hole in April 2019. He was Head of Natural Sciences at Lancashire until 2023 before stepping down to concentrate on teaching and research. He enjoys giving public lectures and enthusing audiences in his subject.
J-P Metsävainio
J-P Metsävainio is a Finnish visual artist and astrophotographer based in Oulu, Finland. For over three decades, he has revealed the hidden structures of our galaxy by transforming astronomical data into immersive, scientifically accurate visual experiences. His images are the result of years of patient observation from his private observatory, where long exposure times and meticulous processing reveal cosmic landscapes invisible to the naked eye. Metsävainio’s work bridges the realms of science and art, exploring the emotional dimension of space through precision and depth. His vast mosaic of the Northern Milky Way, captured over twelve years and 1500 hours of exposure, stands as a singular achievement in astrophotography. Beyond two-dimensional images, he develops innovative three-dimensional representations of astronomical objects, allowing viewers to perceive their true spatial structure and distances. His art invites contemplation of the infinite, merging human curiosity with cosmic reality.
Synopsis
Islands in Infinity: Galaxies 3-D
To celebrate the publication of Islands In Infinity: Galaxies 3-D, co-creators, Sir Brian May, Professor Derek Ward-Thompson and J-P Metsavainio present the book to the public for the first time and in the splendour of stereoscopic 3-D. Wearing 3-D glasses attendees shall be taken on a captivating journey, galaxies leaping off the screen, whilst the trio narrate the fascinating details behind the imagery. Through stereoscopic technology, we can peer deeper into galaxies, uncovering details and insights that were previously beyond our reach.
