A University of Lancashire astrophysicist has teamed up with Queen legend Sir Brian May to write a unique book about the wonders of space.
Professor Derek Ward Thompson has collaborated with Sir Brian and astro-photographic grandmaster J-P Metsävainio to produce Islands in Infinity: Galaxies 3-D, which, for the first time, allows people to see deep space objects in three dimensions.
In stereoscopic 3-D, Islands In Infinity provides a mesmerising introduction to the formation, nature, evolution and classification of some of the 200 billion galaxies that inhabit the observable Universe. It shows more than 200 colour photographs from the world’s great land and space borne telescopes, and over 80 new artworks created especially for the book.
This book is truly unique. For the first time you will see deep space objects in three dimensions.– Professor Derek Ward Thompson
The new technology enables readers to see further into the galaxies and gain more insight than ever before. Each copy comes complete with a Lite OWL Stereoscopic Viewer, designed by Sir Brian, which will bring the images to life in the magic of 3-D.
Life-long Queen fan Derek has spent the last two years on the project. He said: “Writing the book was a lot of fun. I would sketch out a rough draft of each chapter, then I would take it to meet Brian, the publisher and artist at Brian’s house to go through it.
“This book is truly unique. For the first time you will see deep space objects in three dimensions. This has never previously been possible because of the vast distances across space. But with the new software invented by our co-author, J-P, it has now been made possible through the art of stereoscopy.
“It will help people understand what galaxies are, how they originated, how they have evolved into many different types of galaxy, and how they interact and give birth to everything we experience on our tiny blue planet inside our Solar System, itself inside our very own Galaxy, the Milky Way.”
Working with Brian has been the most fun. He is a very kind, generous and witty man. He is very genuine and just like his public persona – a really very nice human being.– Professor Derek Ward Thompson
Derek, who is the Director of the University’s Jeremiah Horrocks Institute and is an expert in the study of galaxies, has known Sir Brian for 20 years after first meeting the rock star on the BBC programme Sky at Night.
“We were filming an episode and Brian, who was great friends with Patrick Moore, came along,” Said Derek.
“We met at conferences and meetings over the years and I was asked by the publisher to proofread one of Brian’s previous books. When they were planning Islands in Infinity, Brian asked if I’d be interested in writing it. Obviously, I jumped at the chance.
“Working with Brian has been the most fun. He is a very kind, generous and witty man. He is very genuine and just like his public persona – a really very nice human being. My favourite Queen song is The Year of 39, which Brian wrote. It’s about space exploration and the peculiar effects of special relativity and how it twists time. The astrophysics in it is all correct!”
In the book, readers are taken on a journey, travelling through weird and wonderful shapes as great galaxies collide and merge in chaotic and extraordinarily forms. And, moving out towards the edge of the visible Universe, it examines how galaxies gather in clusters and superclusters as we look outwards and back in time towards the beginning of the Universe at the Big Bang.
... it’s an account understandable and enjoyable by anyone interested in the biggest subject in the Universe - not just astro experts. It’s a gripping read!– Sir Brian May
Sir Brian said: “For the very first time, readers can enjoy stereoscopic renderings of galaxies previously only seen as flat ‘mono’ images. And this, coupled with a text from one of the world’s experts on the evolution of galaxies, gives a uniquely new insight into the Universe as it is now perceived. Moreover, it’s an account understandable and enjoyable by anyone interested in the biggest subject in the Universe - not just astro experts. It’s a gripping read!”
Astro-photographer J-P Metsävainio added: “I undertook a major but deeply rewarding task: converting a vast number of galaxies into 3D stereo while ensuring that every detail remained as scientifically accurate as possible.
“It was truly thrilling to watch these complex structures come to life before my eyes as I saw them in three dimensions for the first time. Galaxy clusters revealed their true nature, with accurate relative distances, and delicate dust lanes appearing to float in front of the galactic discs. I felt as if I were holding the universe in my hands — and I hope readers will share that same eye-opening experience through the pages of this book.”
Islands in Infinity: Galaxies 3-D, by Derek Ward-Thompson, Brian May and J-P Metsävainio, published by The London Stereoscopic Company, is available to purchase online.