The new Philip's Astronomy Encyclopedia is one of the most comprehensive, authoritative and accessible books on astronomy. In more than 3000 alphabetically organized articles and over 500 photographs and diagrams, it covers everything and everyone from the Anglo-Australian Observatory to Fritz Zwicky. Its 464 pages include a host of major articles on subjects such as our Galaxy, the Sun and planets, optical and radio telescopes, stars, black holes, astrophysics, observatories, astronomical photography, space programmes, the constellations and famous astronomers. Supporting these articles are shorter entries on planetary features and satellites, asteroids, observational techniques, comets, satellite launchers, meteros, and subjects as diverse as life in the Universe and the structure of meteorites. Scores of tables list the brightest stars in the major constellations, annual meteor showers, major variable stars, dwarf stars, energy production processes in the Sun, and other relevant data. Philip's Astronomy Encyclopedia is written by more than 100 leading astronomers from the world's universities and observatories, each an expert in a specialized field of knowledge. They have produced an up-to-date and reliable popular reference work for 2001 and beyond.