Firefly Encyclopedia of Astronomy
An extensive astronomy reference, beautifully illustrated and expertly written.\ The Firefly Encyclopedia of Astronomy is organized A-Z with concise details on each topic. The pages are profusely illustrated with vivid computer graphics, photography and archival images. Included are accessible contributions by 650 world-leading astronomers covering:\ \ History from the Big Bang to present\ Famous astronomer bios\ Key space missions since the launch of Sputnik\ The work of observatories...
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A comprehensive reference to the whole of modern astronomy, including contributions by 650 world-leading astronomers covering 1750 entries in an A-Z encyclopedia format. Library Journal Much of the material in this book derives from the four-volume Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics, edited by Murdin (Cambridge Inst. of Astronomy); here, Murdin is joined by Penston (president, Society for Popular Astronomy, U.K.). Like other single-volume astronomy encyclopedias (e.g., Patrick Moore & Leif J. Robinson's Astronomy Encyclopedia and The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Universe, edited by Ian Ridpath), this book covers astronomical objects and phenomena, space missions, observatories, and astronomers and their organizations, among other topics. It focuses slightly more on current astronomy research and less on physics and the cultural aspects of astronomy. The 1750 entries, arranged alphabetically, range from one-sentence definitions to 2000-word essays. There are also more than 30 features on practical astronomy, from observing the Moon to do-it-yourself radio astronomy; brief and technical, these will appeal to experienced, dedicated, and well-equipped amateur astronomers but are less appropriate for novices. Unfortunately, the cross-referencing is not extensive, and there is no compensating index; in addition, a comprehensive bibliography in not included, though some entries do include suggested further readings. Although most pages are illustrated with color diagrams and photographs, this book is not as visually appealing as other Firefly science encyclopedias, e.g., Christopher O'Toole's Insects and Spiders. Bottom Line This useful update in a rapidly changing field complements other single-volume astronomy works but does not replace them owing to differences in the topics covered. For academic and larger public libraries.-Nancy R. Curtis, Univ. of Maine Lib., Orono Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
\ Science NewsTakes readers to the cutting edge of the latest research and advances in astronomy.\ \ \ \ \ \ Choice\ - J.O. Christensen\ Articles are clearly written and give excellent introductions to their subjects... an excellent addition to all libraries, including home libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended.\ \ \ \ Tampa TribuneHuge and handsome volume, crammed with color photos, diagrams and tables... Like the skies, the appeal of this book is limitless.\ \ \ \ \ \ Globe and Mail\ - Dan Falk\ 1,750 entries on just about every aspect of astronomy... the editors have made an effort to make the entries as up-to-date as possible... will appeal to keen armchair astronomers.\ \ \ \ \ \ Sky and Telescope\ - Pamela L. Gay\ It will define all the broad ideas you may need to understand a difficult astronomy article or explain recent theories in cosmology to a non-science minded friend... an excellent starting point for your personal odyssey through astronomy.\ \ \ \ \ \ Booklist\ - Nancy Cannon\ Written in nontechnical language accessible to high-school students and the general reader, this encyclopedia provides authoritative information synthesized from the research of hundreds of leading astronomers.\ \ \ \ \ \ Science Books and Films\ - George J. Flynn\ Extensive and comprehensive... Overall, the authors of this volume have assembled an impressive compilation of contributions.\ \ \ \ \ \ Library JournalMuch of the material in this book derives from the four-volume Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics, edited by Murdin (Cambridge Inst. of Astronomy); here, Murdin is joined by Penston (president, Society for Popular Astronomy, U.K.). Like other single-volume astronomy encyclopedias (e.g., Patrick Moore & Leif J. Robinson's Astronomy Encyclopedia and The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Universe, edited by Ian Ridpath), this book covers astronomical objects and phenomena, space missions, observatories, and astronomers and their organizations, among other topics. It focuses slightly more on current astronomy research and less on physics and the cultural aspects of astronomy. The 1750 entries, arranged alphabetically, range from one-sentence definitions to 2000-word essays. There are also more than 30 features on practical astronomy, from observing the Moon to do-it-yourself radio astronomy; brief and technical, these will appeal to experienced, dedicated, and well-equipped amateur astronomers but are less appropriate for novices. Unfortunately, the cross-referencing is not extensive, and there is no compensating index; in addition, a comprehensive bibliography in not included, though some entries do include suggested further readings. Although most pages are illustrated with color diagrams and photographs, this book is not as visually appealing as other Firefly science encyclopedias, e.g., Christopher O'Toole's Insects and Spiders. Bottom Line This useful update in a rapidly changing field complements other single-volume astronomy works but does not replace them owing to differences in the topics covered. For academic and larger public libraries.-Nancy R. Curtis, Univ. of Maine Lib., Orono Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \
