Asteroid Named After Late Queen Frontman Freddie Mercury

LONDON (CBS/AP) -- An asteroid in Jupiter's orbit has been named after Queen's late frontman Freddie Mercury on what would have been his 70th birthday.

Queen guitarist Brian May says the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Centre has designated an asteroid discovered in 1991, the year of Mercury's death, as "Asteroid 17473 Freddiemercury."

May, who has a doctorate in astrophysics from Imperial College, London, says the newly named asteroid is "just a dot of light, but it's a very special dot of light" and recognizes Mercury's musical and performing talents.

Mercury, born Sept. 5, 1946 in Tanzania. The British singer, songwriter and record producer wrote and performed hits including "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are The Champions" with Queen, releasing over a dozen studio albums between 1973 and 1991.

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