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Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000001405491 | QB14.M58 1991 rd | Reference Book | Dictionary | Searching... |
Searching... | 30000001405459 | QB14.M58 1991 rd | Reference Book | 1:BOOKREF | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
Astronomy is expanding almost as rapidly as the universe itself, and the proliferating scientific jargon can sometimes baffle even the most dedicated amateur. Now, in some 2,400 concise, up-to-date entries, this dictionary cuts a clear path through the maze of complex technical language, offering full, clear definitions drawn from all aspects of classical and modern astronomy. It has been compiled by Jacqueline Mitton, an officer of the Royal Astronomical Society, who has devoted much of her time in recent years to works which convey the excitement of astronomy to general readers.
Here are the names of planets, moons, asteroids, stars, constellations, and galaxies. Mitton includes the types of stars (Red Giants, Blue Stragglers, Brown Dwarfs), the most common scientific terms used in modern astrophysics and cosmology (for instance, butterfly diagram) as well as relevant terms from physics and other fields. Entries on telescopes and other measuring devices, observatories, and space missions show how astronomers have explored the universe. The Dictionary also explains abbreviations and acronyms, and it examines a wide range of fascinating phenomena, from blazers and black holes to runaway stars and the Hawking effect.
From Betelgeuse to the Big Bang, and from spiral galaxies to solar waves, A Concise Dictionary of Astronomy opens a window on the universe for amateur astronomers everywhere.
Author Notes
About the Editor:
Jacqueline Mitton is editor of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association and Public Relations Officer for the Royal Astronomical Society. She has written a number of general interest books on astronomy, including Discovering Astronomy, Invitation to Astronomy, and Discovering the Planets.
Reviews 1
Choice Review
Contains approximately 2,500 entries covering all areas of astronomy and including selected terminology from physics and space science. The typical entry is between 50 and 200 words, though some reach 500. Besides concepts, such categories as place names, equipment, organizations, and abbreviations are included. (There are no biographical entries.) Black-and-white charts and illustrations accompany several dozen definitions. The language stays clear of difficult technical vocabulary and should be accessible to any undergraduate. Cross-references within the definitions successfully provide a rich latticework from which to explore related concepts. A very brief selected bibliography covers astronomical nomenclature, general astronomy, celestial mechanics, the sun and solar system, stars and galaxies, cosmology, and observing techniques. Tables provide the Greek alphabet; units, constants and conversion factors; star, constellation and planetary ring lists; and planetary and natural satellite physical data. Reasonably priced, this dictionary performs well in comparison to other recent publications in the same price category. Though the Cambridge Air and Space Dictionary (CH, Nov'90) encompasses more disciplines, the Concise Dictionary... has about 2,000 more entries on astronomy. For libraries with the second edition of The Facts on File Dictionary of Astronomy (CH, Jul'86), Mitton's Concise Dictionary of Astronomy is a useful supplement containing many items not included in the Facts on File tool. Recommended for academic and public libraries. R. Carande; San Diego State University
