"Bang! The Complete History of the Universe", was written with Sir Patrick Moore, who has presented BBC television's "The Sky at Night" since 1957, and cosmology expert Chris Lintott, Moore's regular sidekick on the show.

May, 59, earned a degree in physics at Imperial College London but after years of studying interplanetary dust, he abandoned work towards his doctorate when Queen -- fronted by stellar performer Freddie Mercury -- took off.

May said: "When I was seven years old, I got my first guitar. That's about the time when I first saw 'The Sky at Night' and the two passions have stayed with me throughout my life."

Decades of hard rocking later, he is now completing his thesis and hopes the colourful, 192-page book will be as successful as any of his hits.

"This is not a book for scientists, it's a book for everybody," said the world-renowned guitarist.

"We firmly believe this is something which hasn't been achieved before, and that is a proper accounting of the story of the whole history of the universe from the big bang up to the present day and into the unforseeable future -- but in a form which can be understood."

Moore badgered May to write the book with him and the 83-year-old drafted the basic skeleton in two weeks. May and Lintott then spent two and a half years with the eccentric, xylophone-playing astronomy legend fleshing it out.

May's co-authors insist he has the credibility to write about stars as well as be one.

"Brian was an extremely hard task-master, we didn't get away with anything," said Lintott.

"His papers are still leading the field in zodiacal light. He won't say so but it's true: I checked the figures," said the boffin.

"I know people are waiting for his thesis. He's absolutely a top-class researcher."

Moore added: "Brian is a highly qualified, very eminent astronomer who has done fundamental work on his particular subject."

The book explains the history of the universe from the big bang 13.7 billion years ago, through the formation of the first stars, galaxies and planets and on into the evolution of human beings able to contemplate their origins and destiny in space.

"Astronomy should be enjoyed," May insisted.

"I really hope this book will inspire people. We hope that we will inspire a new generation in the way that Sir Patrick inspired us."

May said he had thought about booking a seat on a commercial flight into space.

"It's tempting; I do quite fancy the idea but I'm getting a little old for it now."

Queen first hit came in 1974, a year before Mercury's epic "Bohemian Rhapsody" -- often voted the greatest song ever -- stormed the charts.

The band stole the show at the mammoth 1985 Live Aid concert and Queen have spent more time in the British album charts than any other act.

Mercury died of AIDS in 1991, marking the end proper of the band, but May and drummer Roger Taylor returned to the stage as Queen in 2005 with Free singer Paul Rodgers and rocked arenas across Europe, Japan and the United States.

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