Items related to Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics (4 Volumes)
In a unique collaboration, Nature Publishing Group and Institute of Physics Publishing have published the most extensive and comprehensive reference work in astronomy and astrophysics in both print and online formats. Unfortunately the print edition is currently out of print, but the web remains active and can be found at www.ency-astro.com. This unique resource covers the entire field of astronomy and astrophysics and this online version includes the full text of over 2,750 articles, plus sophisticated search and retrieval functionality and links to the primary literature. An active editorial team, headed by the Encyclopaedia's editor-in-chief, Maul Murdin, oversee the continual commissioning, reviewing and loading of new and revised content. The Encyclopaedia's authority is assured by editorial and advisory boards drawn from the world's foremost astronomers and astrophysicists. This first class resource will be an essential source of information for undergraduates, graduate students, researchers and seasoned professionals, as well as for committed amateurs, librarians and lay people wishing to consult the definitive astronomy and astrophysics reference work.
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Review:
..."The Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics must be one of the grandest reference works in science today...It is a vast achievement, occupying four volumes and 3600 pages, with 700 main articles and a slightly greater number of short entries...Paul Murdin and his team of contributors are to be congratulated on a major achievement..." Physics World Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics must be one of the grandest reference works in science today...It is a vast achievement, occupying four volumes and 3600 pages, with 700 main articles and a slightly greater number of short entries...Paul Murdin and his team of contributors are to be congratulated on a major achievement..." Physics World "It's refreshing to find a product that exceeds your expectations . . .this encyclopaedia sets a new standard for astronomical publishing . . . it's technical and literary quality is superb . . . this encyclopaedia - unlike any other similar work in astronomy - has the potential to never go out of date. . .Can you fall in love with an encyclopaedia? I have several times. And I'm in love again. Leif Robinson, Sky and Telescope efreshing to find a product that exceeds your expectations . . .this encyclopaedia sets a new standard for astronomical publishing . . . it's technical and literary quality is superb . . . this encyclopaedia - unlike any other similar work in astronomy - has the potential to never go out of date. . .Can you fall in love with an encyclopaedia? I have several times. And I'm in love again. Leif Robinson, Sky and Telescope "The Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics is truly a landmark publication." Review from Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin cyclopedia of Astronomy andAstrophysics is truly a landmark publication." Review from Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin "a valuable set of educational material that should not be missing from any University and Research Institute" M Kontizas, European Astronomical Society "one of the grandest reference works in science today" Michael Rowan-Robinson, Physics World "this is a work which no astronomical library should be without" Robin Scagell, Popular Astronomy, April 2001 "Any university offering astronomy courses should certainly have at least on set" Ian D Howarth "this encyclopedia sets a new standard for astronomical publishing" Leif J Robinson, Sky & Telescope" . . . the encyclopaedia offers an overwhelming amount of material that's really just too interesting! . . . the standard is typically such that the great majority of the material should be readily accessble to an undergraduate, or serious amateur, while enough detail is given for the encyclopaedia to be a valuable tool for the research scientist. . . In my view, purchasers will certainly get value for their money. These volumes represent the culmination of an endeavour of magisterial proportions, oe which succeeds in providing a reference work of unprecedented breadth, depth and authority, and which is accessible and useful at a wide range of levels. . . If you're not sure if it's worth it, lobby your local public library to but a set; you'll be doing them a favour, and I think you'll be favourably impressed. Ian D Howarth in The Observatory "This encyclopedia provides a reference text with no rival in astrophysics and astronomy...It's editorial team and advisory board comprise of a large number of distinguished and experienced astronomers andastrophysicists and it does not take long to realise that the encyclopedia is an authoritative, well written and well informed piece of work. It is not hard to say that this is a very valuable addition to a library. Every department should have access to it. With its extensive entries and essays on such a broad range of topics, the browsability of these volumes makes them of interest to a very wide variety of audiences. Many students will find it exciting to be able to access such subject depth in a non-textbook format." Physical Sciences Educational Reviews, vol 3, issue 1 June 2002 able set of educational material that should not be missing from any University and Research Institute" M Kontizas, European Astronomical Society "one of the grandest reference works in science today" Michael Rowan-Robinson, Physics World "this is a work which no astronomical library should be without" Robin Scagell, Popular Astronomy, April 2001 "Any university offering astronomy courses should certainly have at least on set" Ian D Howarth "this encyclopedia sets a new standard for astronomical publishing" Leif J Robinson, Sky & Telescope" . . . the encyclopaedia offers an overwhelming amount of material that's really just too interesting! . . . the standard is typically such that the great majority of the material should be readily accessble to an undergraduate, or serious amateur, while enough detail is given for the encyclopaedia to be a valuable tool for the research scientist. . . In my view, purchasers will certainly get value for their money. These volumes represent the culmination of an endeavour of magisterial proportions, oe which succeeds in providing a reference work of unprecedented breadth, depth and authority, and which is accessible and useful at a wide range of levels. . . If you're not sure if it's worth it, lobby your local public library to but a set; you'll be doing them a favour, and I think you'll be favourably impressed. Ian D Howarth in The Observatory "This encyclopedia provides a reference text with no rival in astrophysics and astronomy...It's editorial team and advisory board comprise of a large number of distinguished and experienced astronomers and astrophysicists and it does not take long to realise that the encyclopedia is an authoritative, well written and well informed piece of work. It is not hard to say that this is a very valuable addition to a library. Every department should have access to it. With its extensive entries and essays on such a broad range of topics, the browsability of these volumes makes them of interest to a very wide variety of audiences. Many students will find it exciting to be able to access such subject depth in a non-textbook format." Physical Sciences Educational Reviews, vol 3, issue 1 June 2002
From Booklist:
Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics is truly a landmark publication. Not only is it the most comprehensive and up-to-date work of its kind but it is also the first astronomy encyclopedia to be released in both print and Web formats. From astrophysical theories to astronomical objects to historical events to current space exploration, this work covers the entire range of human investigation of the cosmos.
The print version consists of more than 3,000 entries, of which 630 are primary articles discussing important theoretical and observational results of astronomical research, including entries as varied as Climate, Galaxies, Jupiter, and Telescope engineering. The work is especially strong in its coverage of topics related to the sun and solar physics. All of these lengthy articles provide both an overview and state-of-the-art review of the subject matter. Each includes at least three illustrations and a bibliography of relevant print and Web resources.
In addition to the primary articles, the work contains almost 800 short topical articles providing key definitions and background information. There are also 290 articles detailing specific space vehicles and missions, 280 entries for observatories, 650 short biographies, and one entry for each of the 110 Messier objects. Although the encyclopedia is aimed at readers of all levels, it is definitely a scholarly work and will be most useful for college students and professionals in the field. Many of the entries require the use of differential calculus to fully understand the subject matter. In addition to the entries, cross-references and a detailed subject index are provided.
The heart of the online version is the text of the print version. Users find information by browsing by article title, subject, or contributor or searching by keyword. Cross-references are hypertext linked so that the reader may easily jump within an entry or from article to article. Bibliographies are also linked to full-text sources to which a library subscribes. In addition to the text of the print encyclopedia, the online encyclopedia provides links to astronomical Web sites, recent news related to astronomy and space exploration, and special feature articles on topics of current interest. There are plans to add new functionalities; for example, a recent enhancement allows users to personalize the site by bookmarking articles or figures, saving searches, and more. The Web version will be updated quarterly, but not enough time has passed since release for an update to be evaluated.
Unfortunately, the online version of the encyclopedia offers a variety of problems. During the course of this review, the Web site was consistently slow to respond. More seriously, the typographic codes used to produce the print edition have not translated well into the Web environment. Headings with embedded punctuation or dates, including all biography entries, become confusing and difficult to read. For example, the heading for Carl Sagan is Sagan, Carl Edward (1934–96). The links to full-text resources are frustrating when the subscriber to the encyclopedia is not also a subscriber to the source for the full text. These links create the illusion that information will be available that is not really there for most users. The links to outside sources are useful, but these Web sites may also be discovered using standard search engines, although the encyclopedia organizes them nicely. Although there is a Help button, no help is available at this time, unless the user sends an e-mail query. Fortunately, the search software is straightforward and requires little assistance for any experienced Web user.
As a print resource, Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics is a valuable tool that will become the standard source of its type in academic and research collections. The quality of the online version will undoubtedly improve over time. Institutions that support astronomical research will probably wish to subscribe to the online version, despite its current drawbacks. Other libraries will be satisfied with the one-time purchase of the print edition. RBB
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"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherInstitute of Physics Publishing/Nature Publishing
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0333786548
- ISBN 13 9780333786543
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages3670
- EditorPaul Murdin
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