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The Astronomy Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

Patrick Moore (Editor)
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)


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Book Description

June 15, 2002
The universe beyond our own has been an object of scientific inquiry and a preoccupation of avid stargazers from antiquity up to the present day, and this preoccupation has evolved into a complex field in which mysteries are unlocked and discoveries are made on a constant basis. The Astronomy Encyclopedia covers the full width and breadth of the discipline and includes the latest and most important advances.
In more than 3,000 alphabetically organized articles accompanied by 500 stunning color and black and white photographs, star maps, and diagrams, The Astronomy Encyclopedia covers everything both the researcher and general enthusiast wants to knowfrom adaptive optics and cold dark matter to Islamic astronomy and the principle of equivalence. It includes a host of major articles on the cornerstones of astronomical investigation, such as the Milky Way, the sun and planets, optical and radio telescopes, stars, black holes, astrophysics, observatories, astronomical photography, space programs, the constellations and famous astronomers. Also featured are tables which display relevant data such as the brightest stars in the major constellations, annual meteor showers, major variable stars, dwarf stars, and energy production processes in the sun.
More than 100 astronomers from leading universities and observatories, each an expert in a specialized area of the field, wrote and reviewed the entries to ensure their authority. Patrick Moore, distinguished astronomer and longtime host of the popular BBC television program The Sky at Night, serves as the general editor for this most up-to-date and reliable reference work.
A glimpse into humanity's last great frontier, the Astronomy Encyclopedia is both accessible and comprehensive enough for both the serious stargazer and the professional astronomer.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-This revision of the International Encyclopedia of Astronomy (Orion, 1987; o.p.) is more than just an update, as many entries have been rewritten and offer greater detail. Seven major essays from the original have been deleted, but there are approximately 500 additional articles and numerous color photos. The more than 3000 alphabetical entries cover celestial objects of all kinds; concepts, theories, and methodology of astronomy; observatories; space exploration; and biographical entries on astronomers, astronauts, and cosmonauts. Articles average 5 to 10 per page, but are thorough in their explication of the essentials. While very readable, the subject matter may challenge some students. However, excellent cross-references ease the search for further clarification. Sidebars add information on constellations, and numerous tables provide data on astronomical formations, planets, the Moon, and stars. A list of almost 150 contributors is included, but the individual articles are not signed. The layout of this edition is fresher and more colorful. Spectacular, informative photos appear throughout and outstanding diagrams help explain concepts and equipment. Also included are star maps and keys to symbols, measurements, conversion factors, and the Greek alphabet. This sophisticated encyclopedia fills a gap between Valerie Illingworth and John O. E. Clark's less comprehensive Facts On File Dictionary of Astronomy (Checkmark, 2000), and Paul Murdin's more expansive but less attractive Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Institute of Physics, 2001). Due to significant changes in the field, libraries will want to replace their older edition with this superior, up-to-date version.
Jeffrey A. French, Euclid Public Library, OH
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

With the assistance of more than 40 contributors, astronomy popularizer Moore has revised and expanded The International Encyclopedia of Astronomy, his 1987 contribution to the field. This attractive book covers all aspects of astronomy and astrophysics: celestial objects and phenomena, astronomers (famous and less well known, from antiquity to the present), places (chiefly observatories), projects, instruments, historical developments, organizations, and even journals. The alphabetically arranged articles (over 3000, some 500 more than in the previous work) vary in length from one-sentence definitions to nearly one-and-a-half pages of text. The entries are extensively illustrated (although, strangely, the entries for constellations lack diagrams), and ample cross-referencing mitigates the need for an index. Color-coded insets list information about the constellations (the brightest stars and associated deep-sky objects), planets (vital statistics such as diameter, density, mass, surface gravity, and surface temperature), and other topics, including the nearest stars, the brightest stars, annual meteor showers, and the Caldwell and Messier catalogs of deep-sky objects. Also included are eight star maps, created by renowned celestial cartographer Wil Tirion (The Cambridge Star Atlas), that cover all 88 constellations and include major deep-sky objects. One notable weakness is the absence of either a comprehensive bibliography or references within individual entries. Given the breadth of this work and its price, the only comparable alternative currently in print is The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Universe, edited by Ian Ridpath. Both titles are mid-level surveys of the discipline-too simple to be the only encyclopeda in an astronomy library, too technical for a high school library, but a great choice for patrons with some scientific knowledge. Libraries should consider purchasing both. For those limited to buying just one title, Moore's alphabetical arrangement makes for easier use than Ridpath's thematic organization. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.
Nancy R. Curtis, Univ. of Maine Lib., Orono
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  • Hardcover: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (June 15, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0195218337
  • ISBN-13: 978-0195218336
  • Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,085,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This book has everything you would want to know., December 26, 2002
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This review is from: The Astronomy Encyclopedia (Hardcover)
This book is state of the art in information. It can answer any possible question you can ask about astronomy. It is a thick heavy hard covered book. I spent two hours just reading the captions of over 500 pictures and learned things I never thought about. Get it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Comprehensive Book, June 10, 2006
This review is from: The Astronomy Encyclopedia (Hardcover)
A great reference book for anyone's home library. Beautifully illustrated and well indexed subject matter. Found only a few less than obvious errors and understandably a little out-of-date but given its broadly covered topical nature and huge page content it is a magnificent collaborative production. A very handy reference for teachers or anyone with an interest in astronomy.
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12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, but full of errors, April 22, 2003
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This review is from: The Astronomy Encyclopedia (Hardcover)
Oxford University Press has published a visually spectacular and comprehensive astronomy encyclopedia for the lay-person. They have made liberal use of recent Hubble Space Telescope images to produce a truly beautiful book. However, the number of errors ranging from mistaken numbers, to misattributed photographs, to confused sentences is surprising. Perhaps a second edition will clean up these problems.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Abbot, Charles Greeley (1872-1961) American astronomer who specialized in solar radiation and its effect on the Earth's climate. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
inconspicuous southern constellation, lunar lava plain, meteor shower radiates, visual mag, small inner satellites, perihelion returns, multiring impact basin, circuit the planet, rim components, zenithal hourly rate, absolute mag, magmatic irons, multiring basins, dark nebulosity, pulsating variable star, composite lens, geostationary transfer orbit, semiregular variable, complex crater, moderate eccentricity, diurnal parallax, astronomy facility, carbon stars, primary eclipse, parent comet
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Milky Way, Big Bang, Hubble Space Telescope, Mount Wilson, United States, Crab Nebula, Ursa Major, World War, Orion Nebula, Astronomer Royal, Greenwich Observatory, Ursae Majoris, Isaac Newton, Coronae Borealis, Palomar Observatory, Paris Observatory, Beta Lyrae, Soviet Union, Jodrell Bank, Local Group, Mauna Kea, Eta Carinae, Large Magellanic Cloud, Kitt Peak, Royal Observatory
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