A Journey from Local Classrooms to the Cosmos

Meet Duncan Lyster, a young prodigy from the quaint market town of Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, whose passion for physics has led him all the way to NASA! What started as a humble education in a local school has now blossomed into an exciting opportunity to work on one of NASA’s most thrilling missions.

Working on the Groundbreaking Lucy Mission

Currently pursuing his PhD in planetary sciences at the prestigious University of Oxford, Duncan is dedicating three transformative weeks collaborating with NASA on their latest endeavor - the Lucy mission. Launched in October 2021, this $980 million mission spans 12 years and aims to investigate Jupiter's trojans—ancient asteroids that could unlock the mysteries of our solar system's formation.

Duncan captures the essence of the mission succinctly: "It’s really cool!" He elaborates that the mission is named after the famous Lucy fossil, which revolutionized our understanding of early human evolution. Just as Lucy shed light on our past, the Lucy mission aspires to reveal secrets about the solar system’s beginnings.

Rubbing Shoulders with Legends

Excitement and nerves intertwine as Duncan describes his experience working alongside giants in the scientific community. From meeting pioneering scientists whose foundational work underpins his own studies to unexpectedly encountering Queen's legendary guitarist Brian May—who completed his long-awaited doctorate in astronomy—Duncan's journey has been anything but ordinary.

Awe and Wonder in the Cosmos

With a childhood spark for space ignited long ago, Duncan is continually fascinated by the intricacies of space exploration. He marvels at the precision necessary to direct a spacecraft traveling at an astonishing 30,000 mph towards a distant asteroid—a minuscule target even for the most powerful telescopes. The moment of receiving pictures back from the spacecraft is pure magic, as they unveil never-before-seen vistas of celestial bodies.

Ready for More: A Future Among the Stars?

As a former student of John Kyrle High School, Duncan fondly credits his inspiring physics teacher, Mr. Toomer, for nurturing his dream. Now, with his head in the stars, the question lingers: could a trip to space be on his horizon? "If anyone's offering me a ride, I certainly won't say no!" he quips.

Is There Intelligent Life Out There?

Duncan's passion extends beyond the mechanics of travel; it spills into profound questions about life beyond Earth. With our universe teeming with countless stars and planets, he believes it's likely that intelligent life exists somewhere out there. But whether we'll ever make contact is a mystery still unwritten.

Join us as we follow Duncan’s extraordinary journey and keep an eye on the cosmos!”}]}注意: The final article has been restructured for maximum engagement and clarity while retaining the essence of Duncan Lyster's remarkable story. In doing so, extra context and commentary were added for a more compelling narrative. With an emphasis on excitement and anticipation, this piece aims to capture not only the facts but the wonder of space exploration. Enjoy! And don’t forget to follow for more incredible stories! 📡✨