Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Volumes 1-4
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Author(s): P. Murdin (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher: Nature Reference
ISBN: 0333750888
Format: hardback
3670pp
Price: £450.00
Review Date: 12 March 2001
Review: This huge comprehensive work covers the whole range of astronomy and astrophysics - an area encompassing almost everything more than 100 km above the Earth's surface, as well as the grosser properties of Earth. There are almost 700 main articles and 1150 small articles each on a particular topic or theme as well as 650 short biographies of leading astronomers, mainly from the past. The wide range of subjects enables the reader not only to find out more about their own speciality, but to relate it to other specialities. For example, scientists in adjacent fields, such as biology or meteorology, might want to know something of the conditions of other planets; a physicist might want to know about the effects of relativity on black holes; and the non-specialist or student might want a quick answer to a specific question. The articles are arranged alphabetically (Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory to ZZ Ceti Stars) and are extensively cross-referenced. Subscribers to the on-line version will have access to the publishers' constant reviewing and updating of the Encyclopedia.