by Steve Morales, CBCNews.ca

One of Brian May's best-known cultural contributions might be a song called Fat-Bottomed Girls, but he's still quite a distinguished chap. Just look at all his acronyms: Brian May, CBE, B.Sc. And now he may have a PhD on the way as well.

After more than 30 years as a wildly successful rock star, May has returned to the somewhat less glamorous field of astrophysics. 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 took off.

He has returned to the subject in recent years. He co-authored Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, which tells the story of the universe from the big bang through its subsequent evolution. It was released last year.

May worked on the PhD between 1971 and 1974, and kept all his handwritten notes on the subject through the years, finally discovering them in his loft recently.

May also holds honorary doctorates in science from the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Exter.

The rocker will receive his PhD next May, assuming his thesis is approved by supervisors.