Encyclopedia of Space and Astronomy (Facts on File Science Library) [Hardcover]

Joseph A., Jr. Angelo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up–Incorporating and expanding on entries from such earlier works as his Facts On File Space and Astronomy Handbook (2002), Angelo presents a wide-angled survey that not only encompasses the nature, study, and exploration of outer space, but also delves into a huge array of related topics, from the Tomahawk missile and Columbia accident to climate change and quarks. Alphabetically arranged into more than 3000 articles that run from single sentences to several double-columned pages, this resource is both comprehensive and easy to use, and nearly every entry closes with several cross-references. The volume is enhanced by a detailed index and 15 thought pieces on such topics as the physical hazards of space travel, the possible consequences of interstellar contact, and the demonstrated uses of satellites in peace and war. Though neither the occasional, murky black-and-white photographs nor the appendixes, which are chock-full of useful and unusual information, are picked up in the index, and some entries are less than enlightening (Enthalpy, for instance, includes no actual definition of the term), this will be a valuable addition to any smaller collection serving serious students, whether they're researching Galileo or the Galilean satellites, such recent trans-Plutonian discoveries as Sedna and Quaoar, or, for that matter, Walt Disney's influence on the space race.–John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Space, the final frontier, has piqued the imagination of people for millennia. Written by the author of several other books on space and astronomy at a level accessible to the general reader, this one-volume encyclopedia provides current, authoritative information. The approximately 3,000 alphabetically arranged entries range in length from a single sentence to several pages. Sample entries include Alvarez, Luis Walter; Apollo Project; Astrochimp(s); Big bang (theory); Collins, Eileen Marie; Copernicus, Nicholas; Cosmology; Extraterrestrial civilizations; National Solar Observatory; Radio astronomy; Robotics in space; Rocketry; Sun; Unidentified flying object (UFO); and Voyager spacecraft. Fifteen special essays cover topics beyond the nuts and bolts. We learn that, just like the poets have proclaimed, we really are made of stardust; Walt Disney popularized the idea of space travel; satellites function as switchboards in the sky; and people of the Earth have unintentionally been leaking radio frequency signals into the galaxy since the middle of the twentieth century.

Appendixes include a bibliography of print resources, an extensive listing of Web sites, a lengthy chronology of significant events in space and astronomy, a table of basic planetary data, and a 13-page table on how planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other celestial objects are named. A well-constructed index provides subject access to the contents. About 200 black-and-white line illustrations and photographs supplement the text.

This work provides more in-depth coverage of topics than the Firefly Encyclopedia of Astronomy (2004), although the Firefly volume uses color illustrations and photographs to supplement the text and therefore has more visual appeal. The four-volume Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Institute of Physics, 2001), written for an academic and professional audience, is a far more comprehensive (and therefore more expensive) set and is particularly suited for academic and large public libraries. The Facts On File encyclopedia is recommended for libraries in need of a general encyclopedia on space and astronomy. Nancy Cannon
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 740 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File (January 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816053308
• ISBN-13: 978-0816053308
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,870,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up to date, Complete, and Fascinating, May 23, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Encyclopedia of Space and Astronomy (Facts on File Science Library) (Hardcover)

This is a huge, up to date, single volume encyclopedia. It is not a text, but an alphabetical listing of just about everything there is to know about the subject. More than most astronomy books, this one contains a lot more information about the various space oriented NASA projects. I can't say that every mission is documented, but in looking several up I couldn't find any that were missing. Likewise other aspects of space technology aren't left out. You don't find discussions for instance on the de Laval nozzle in most other books.

On the astronomical side, his discussions on dark enery and dark matter are as good as any I've seen. This is not to say that he claims to know what they are, but he gives a good description what the leading current theories say. I notice that he has no comment on the speed of gravity (which nobody seems to know), but I guess you have to draw the line somewhere.

One problem with this book is putting it down. It is so big, and has so much information that you tend to want to read it from beginning to end. Except that you get distracted and start jumping around as something new grabs your interest.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, thorough astronomical encyclopedia, March 3, 2011

By 

Andrew Gach (Port Angeles, Washington USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Space and Astronomy (Facts on File Science Library) (Hardcover)

So far,I haven't found a single astronomical term that was missing or one for which the encyclopedia gave less than satisfactory explanation.