Astronomy is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and there have never before been so many backyard astronomers, from beginners to those at the professional frontier. There is also huge interest in the startlingly imaginative concepts that professional astronomers use to explain our place, and existence, in the universe at large.
This new A-Z encyclopedia is a beautiful and authoritative illustrated reference to the whole of classical and modern astronomy. It includes 515 remarkable diagrams and photographs from leading artists and astrophotographers. Students, journalists, librarians, and inquisitive families will find it answers any questions that might arise in a professional or personal context.
Within its complement of 1750 articles, it includes 40 articles on practical astronomy from the world's top practitioners, including editors from Sky and Telescope magazine and members of the British Astronomical Association. These are articles to inspire beginners, and to refine the techniques of those with more experience.
There are 100 essays derived from the current work of 700 research astronomers. With the help of specially commissioned artworks, these articles interpret the latest research findings for non-specialists. Topics such as Active Galaxies, Dark Matter,and General Relativity are made truly comprehensible for the first time.
Under the direction of Professor Paul Murdin, an international team has created this unique reference work, which has been through careful stages of review and checking to ensure it is the ultimate single-volume reference in the field of astronomy.