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On Monday, the updated "Bang! Complete History of the Universe" (Carlton Books) will hit stores. For those of you rock fans without the time – or, more likely, the inclination – to thumb through the pop fare from the astrophysics section of Barnes & Noble, you may want to check this title out. "Bang! Up to Date" marks the first publication for newly honored Dr. Brian May, Ph.D.

Yes, the same Dr. May who recently earned access into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of his band mates in Queen.

So you understand, the most learned Dr. May did not become so by giving the keynote speech at some music college, perish the thought. Some 36 years after abandoning his studies for the debaucheries of glam rock, the esteemed Dr. May came to his senses and, well, collected his books and got on back to school, one could say. A few weeks after turning 60, he submitted his doctoral thesis on "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud" to professors at Imperial College last summer.

Already a published astronomer, this updated version to the best-selling "Bang!" finally features Dr. May on level ground with his co-authors – the ubiquitous astrophysicists Sir Patrick Moore and Dr. Chris Lintott – as a full-fledged member of the Royal Society.