Teach Yourself Instant Reference Astronomy

by Teach Yourself

Introducing the Teach Yourself Instant Reference series -- the perfect companion for students, teachers, writers, and trivia buffs! Readers have reliable, readable, up-to-date information on a wide range of topics right at their fingertips. The series features:
-- A thorough examination of a single topic in each book
-- An easy-to-use A-to-Z format
-- Helpful cross-referencing for further exploration
-- Charts and diagrams that provide visual explanations for complex concepts
-- Chronologies that place people and events in contextThe heavens have captivated scholars for thousands of years. This title surveys their knowledge -- from ancient beliefs to recent findings. Complex physical laws are clearly explained, and charts and diagrams illustrate key points.

220 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2000

Reviews

[Aprilleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially a glossary/encyclopedia for astronomy and astronomical terms. As such, it's an awesome little book to have handy if you're studying astronomy or trying to learn on your own. There are very few illustrations, but those that are present are well-chosen (except the portraits which aren't necessary to understand who these people were). My biggest complaint about it is a too-limited use of "See also:" entries. For example, under "ionosphere" it should direct you to examine the entries for exosphere and thermosphere (and possibly others). The descriptions do utilize bold-type for other terms found in the book, but that doesn't help nearly as much. The entries themselves are a mixed bag. Some, like "galaxy," discuss the different types of galaxies in addition to defining what a galaxy is. Others, like "spectrum," give only the bare minimum of information and you have to go hunting to learn more. Most entries trend to the useful side and I would recommend this to any novice amateur astronomer just starting to wade through the hobby's literature, or even experienced amateur looking to explore a new area of interest. It won't always give you all the information you need, but it will give you enough so you understand what you're reading or hearing.