- Edited by Ian Ridpath, prolific astronomy author and broadcaster, with the help of more than 20 expert contributors
- Contains over 4,300 entries on all aspects of astronomy
- Worldwide coverage of telescopes and observatories such as the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and the European Northern Observatory
- Biographical entries on eminent astronomers such as Ptolemy, Hubble, and Halley
- Includes highlighted entries on key topics such as Big Bang theory, black holes, galaxy evolution, and SETI
- Supplementary material includes a new table of planetary data, Apollo lunar landing missions, and an A to Z of variable star types
- Contains entry-level web links that are listed and regularly updated on a companion website
New to this Edition:
- All entries have been revised and updated to reflect recent developments in the field of astronomy
- Approximately 50 new entries, such as Juno,Plutoid, and Interstellar Boundary Explorer
- A new appendix listing planetary data
- Entry-level web links are listed and regularly updated on a companion website, expanding the scope of the dictionary