Astronomy: Encyclopedias

Covers a variety of fundamental topics, including a state-of-the-art summary of the engineering involved in launching a rocket or satellite, the control systems involved on the ground, in orbit, or in deep space, and manufacturing in space from planetary and other resources.

Provides a framework for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system, historical discoveries, and details about planetary bodies and how they interact.

Offers a broad survey of the space sciences. Includes biographies of scientists and the space-related job market.

Begins with an overview of the stars and constellations and then proceeds to chapters covering the location of stars, magnitudes, cosmic distances, the galaxy in motion, spectra, stellar properties, types of stars, the sun, and stellar evolution.

Examines how space exploration is helping to provide answers to questions regarding who we are, where we came from, where we are going, and whether or not we're alone. About 350 entries cover topics including technical terms, complicated technologies, organizations and agencies, the most recent lunar missions, the exploration of Mars, the Hubble Space Telescope, Mission to Planet Earth and the use of space to monitor and protect the biosphere, the International Space Station, asteroid detection and negation systems, issues surrounding the consequence of extraterrestrial contact, and the role of robotics and virtual reality in exploring the solar system.