The Facts On File Space and Astronomy Handbook (Science Handbook)

Praise for the previous edition:
“...recommended for libraries in need of a concise, up-to-date reference in this area.”—Booklist

“This ready reference will be welcome in middle and high school libraries as well as in public libraries serving youth...a convenient source...Recommended.”—Library Media Connection

In order to comprehend the universe and how it works, one must first have a firm understanding of astronomy and space exploration. The Facts on File Space and Astronomy Handbook, Revised Edition is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of a popular and comprehensive reference. With special emphasis on the most recent planetary exploration missions, including NASA’s Phoenix lander as well as NASA’s plans to explore the moon and Mars with astronauts, this new resource is essential for middle and high school students interested in space technology, space exploration, and astronomy. The “downsizing” of Pluto to dwarf planet status and the significance of this new designation in astronomy is also explored in this fascinating resource.

This straightforward book contains an extensive glossary with nearly 1,300 entries—100 new to this edition—as well as 40 new biographies, an updated chronology of events, essential charts and tables, and an index. With 129 new and updated black-and-white photographs and 47 line illustrations, this encyclopedia reflects some of the latest discoveries and achievements in the field.

New and revised entries include:

• Absolute temperature
• Apollo 1 tragedy
• Ceres
• Nicholas Copernicus
• Explorer spacecraft
• Galileo Project
• Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram
• Martian
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Orion
• Phases of the Moon
• Stardust mission
• Venus Express mission
• Fred Lawrence Whipple.

Joseph A. Angelo, Jr., an adjunct professor in the College of Engineering at Florida Tech, received a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Arizona. He is the author of several books for Facts On File/Checkmark Books, including The Dictionary of Space Technology and the Encyclopedia of Space Exploration. He lives in Indialantic, FL.