Astronomy
Find a Topic
Not sure where to start? Try these tips:
- Start where you are. Think about topics that might be of interest to you. What do you already know? What would you like to know? What class papers or discussion caught your attention? Skim over your reading list or textbook for more ideas.
- Search for relevant current events. ScienceDaily's Space and Time section, CAP Journal, and popular science magazines often cover recent events in the field. Do some searching and you're bound to find ideas!
- Look for articles in your area of interest. See the short list below for some suggestions. Try focusing on review articles, which tend to provide a more general introduction to a field.
- Find comprehensive overview articles (reviews) on current astronomy topics in these journals:
Gather Background Information
Gather background information on your topic to help you:
- Focus your topic
- Hone your search
- Define specific terms and phrases
- Identify the big players or experts in the field
Encyclopedias, Biographies, or Handbooks are all excellent places to find more background information.
Use the resources below to start your search!
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AccessScience This link opens in a new windowCovers all major scientific disciplines and offers links to primary research material, videos and exclusive animations, plus specially designed curriculum maps for teachers.
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Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new windowA collection of several hundred current subject encyclopedias.
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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology This link opens in a new windowThe most comprehensive reference resource for the field of Astrobiology, with over 2,700 entries. Covers the topics of Astrobiology, Bioorganic Chemistry, General Biochemistry, Planetology, Astrophysics and Astroparticles, and Biogeosciences.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers
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ISBN: 9781441999177Publication Date: 2014-09-02The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers is a unique and valuable resource for historians and astronomers alike. It includes approx. 1850 biographical sketches on astronomers from antiquity to modern times. It is the collective work of 430 authors edited by an editorial board of 8 historians and astronomers. This reference provides biographical information on astronomers and cosmologists by utilizing contemporary historical scholarship. The fully corrected and updated second edition adds approximately 300 biographical sketches.
Use this link to the publisher's webpage to determine the articles you would like to read. https://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-1-4419-9917-7
Then place an interlibrary loan request for that article(s). https://illiad.library.umass.edu/illiad/AMH/ -
Handbook of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Call Number: UMass Amherst Science & Engineering Library: QB136 .Z65 2007ISBN: 0521782422Publication Date: 2006-11-09Data from space-based observations and a comprehensive index and bibliography, this third edition contains the most frequently used information in modern astrophysics. As well as a vast number of tables, graphs, diagrams and formulae it also contains information covering topics including atomic physics, nuclear physics, relativity, plasma physics, electromagnetism, mathematics, probability and statistics, and geophysics. This handbook will be an essential reference for graduate students, researchers and professionals working in astronomy and the space sciences. A website containing supplementary information and databases can be found at www.cambridge.org/9780521782425. -
Encyclopedia of Space and Astronomy
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Call Number: UMass Amherst Science & Engineering Library Reference Collection: QB136 .A55 2006ISBN: 0816053308Publication Date: 2006-01-01Offering a complete of the main concepts, terms, facilities, and people in astronomy, the encyclopedia pays special attention to space-based astronomy and space exploration. Broad coverage includes terms such as astrophysics, planetary science, and cosmology, as well as both American and international astronomy and space technology. Containing 600-700 entries, 10-15 essays, 75-100 line illustrations, and 75-100 black-and-white photographs, it focuses mainly on modern astronomy and space achievements but also includes accomplishments of classical astronomy. The impact of astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology is presented in terms of the development of the scientific method and also with respect to philosophy. History-related entries trace the evolution of astronomy and space technology from ancient times. -
Encyclopedia of the Solar System
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Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780080474984Publication Date: 2006-12-18Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 2nd edition provides a framework for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system, historical discoveries, and details about planetary bodies and how they interact. -
The Astronomy Encyclopedia
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Call Number: UMass Amherst Science & Engineering Library Reference Collection: QB14 .P45 2002 +ISBN: 0195218337Publication Date: 2002-11-21The Astronomy Encyclopedia covers everything both the researcher and general enthusiast wants to know from adaptive optics and cold dark matter to Islamic astronomy and the principle of equivalence. Also featured are tables which display relevant data such as the brightest stars in the major constellations, annual meteor showers, major variable stars, dwarf stars, and energy production processes in the sun. -
Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Call Number: UMass Amherst Science & Engineering Library Reference Collection: QB14 .E534 2001ISBN: 0333750888Publication Date: 2001-01-01A collaboration between the Institute of Physics Publishing and Macmillan Reference Ltd, this work presents an extensive and comprehensive reference on astronomy and astrophysics. It has 800 contributors, over 2500 entries,. It should be of interest to undergraduates, graduate students, researchers and professionals, as well as to committed amateurs, librarians and lay people.
