Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Natural History, July, 2001

Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics edited by Paul Murdin (Nature Publishing Group/Institute of Physics Publishing, 4 vols., 2001; $650)

A single entry in this encyclopedia concentrates more physics into a few paragraphs than the average layperson encounters in a lifetime, yet the style is clear and direct, and the curious reader will be able to grasp many of the concepts even without a hard-core physics background. This comprehensive, nearly 4,000-page work contains more than 2,700 entries, including 650 in-depth subject articles (each with references and bibliography), 780 definitions of astronomical terms and objects, 650 biographies, and various lists and catalogs, as well as 3,500 illustrations and much more. The searchable online version, www.encyastro.com, includes extensive links and quarterly updates.