The Data Book of AstronomyThe Data Book of Astronomy is a one-stop reference for astronomers at all levels of experience, from beginners to experienced observers. Filled with data about the Earth, Moon, the planets, the stars, our Galaxy, and the myriad galaxies in deep space, it also reveals the latest scientific discoveries about black holes, quasars, and the origins of the Universe. Written by a premier astronomy expert, this book begins with a discussion of the Sun, from sunspots to solar eclipses. It then features over 100 tables on characteristics of the Moon, and the names, positions, sizes, and other key descriptors of all the planets and their satellites. The book tabulates solar and lunar eclipse, comets, close-approach asteroids, and significant meteor showers dates. Twenty-four maps show the surface features of the planets and their moons. The author then looks to the stars, their distances and movements, and their detailed classification and evolution. Forty-eight star charts cover both northern and southern hemispheres, enabling you to track down and name the main stars in all the constellations. The maps are supported by detailed tables of the names, positions, magnitudes, and spectra of the main stars in each constellation, along with key data on galaxies, nebulae, and clusters. There is a useful catalogue of the world's great telescopes and observatories, a history of astronomy and of space research, and biographies of 250 astronomers who have been most influential in developing the current understanding of the subject. |
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Contents
1 | |
4 | |
3 THE MOON | 27 |
4 MERCURY | 74 |
5 VENUS | 86 |
6 EARTH | 98 |
7 MARS | 102 |
8 THE MINOR PLANETS | 130 |
19 STELLAR SPECTRA AND EVOLUTION | 262 |
20 EXTRASOLAR PLANETS | 274 |
21 DOUBLE STARS | 278 |
22 VARIABLE STARSTHE SOLAR SYSTEM | 283 |
23 STELLAR CLUSTERS | 298 |
24 NEBULÆ | 307 |
25 THE GALAXY | 310 |
26 GALAXIES | 313 |
9 JUPITER | 147 |
10 SATURN | 171 |
11 URANUS | 188 |
12 NEPTUNE | 204 |
13 PLUTO | 215 |
14 COMETS | 222 |
15 METEORS | 240 |
16 METEORITES | 245 |
17 GLOWS AND ATMOSPHERIC EFFECTS | 252 |
18 THE STARS | 257 |
27 THE EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE | 319 |
28 THE CONSTELLATIONS | 322 |
29 THE STAR CATALOGUE | 327 |
30 TELESCOPES AND OBSERVATORIES | 460 |
31 NONOPTICAL ASTRONOMY | 470 |
32 THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY | 478 |
33 ASTRONOMERS | 488 |
34 GLOSSARY | 507 |
Back Cover | 518 |
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Common terms and phrases
American astronomer asteroid atmosphere auroræ Binary bright BRIGHTEST STARS Star brown dwarf Cepheid cloud CLUSTERS M C NGC comet constellation craters deg min sec deg sec Diameter Mag Dist h m s Dist h m s deg distance DOUBLE STARS DOUBLE STARS R.A. Earth eclipse fourth magnitude French astronomer Galaxy German astronomer given in Table Globular cluster h m s Hubble Space Telescope hydrogen Jupiter Libration Libration zone light-years Luminosity Luminosity Dist Sun lunar M C NGC R.A. Main Sequence Mars mathematician meteorite Mira Moon Neptune NGC R.A. Dec observations Observatory Open cluster orbit P.A. Sep perihelion physicist planet PLANETARY NEBULA pulsar radio Range Type Period ring rotation period Russian satellite Saturn sec mag Semi-reg Sept Spec spectrum STARS R.A. Dec STARS Star R.A. surface telescope temperature Uranus variable variable stars Venus WARIABLE STARS R.A. white dwarf X-ray