Astronomically Speaking: A Dictionary of Quotations on Astronomy and Physics

by Gaither; C.C.

• ISBN13: 9780750308687
• ISBN10: 0750308680
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2003-08-01
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

To understand the history, accomplishments, failures, and meanings of astronomy requires a knowledge of what has been said about astronomy by philosophers, novelists, playwrights, poets, scientists, and laymen. With this in mind, Astronomically Speaking: A Dictionary of Quotations on Astronomy and Physics serves as a guide to what has been said about astronomy through the ages. Containing approximately 1,550 quotations and numerous illustrations, this resource is the largest compilation of astronomy and astrophysics quotations published to date. Devoted to astronomy and the closely related areas of mathematics and physics, this resource helps form an accurate picture of these interconnected disciplines. It is designed as an aid for general readers with little knowledge of astronomy who are interested in astronomical topics. Students can use the book to increase their understanding of the complexity and richness that exists in scientific disciplines. In addition, experienced scientists will find it as a handy source of quotes for use in the classroom, in papers, and in presentations. A quick glance through the table of contents illustrates the variety of topics discussed. Readers can quickly and easily access the wit and wisdom of several hundred scientists, writers, philosophers, poets, and academics using the comprehensive indexes.

Table of Contents

Contents	vii
Preface	xv
Accuracy	1	(1)
Age	2	(1)
Analogy	3	(1)
Arbitrary	4	(1)
Asteroid	5	(1)
Astrology	6	(2)
Astronauts	8	(2)
Astronomer	10	(7)
Astronomical	17	(2)
Astronomical Songs	19	(3)
Astronomy	22	(7)
Astronomy Mnemonics	29	(3)
Astrophysics	32	(2)
Atom	34	(3)
Atomic Power	37	(1)
Atomism	38	(1)
Aurora Borealis	39	(3)
Axial Tilt	42	(1)
Axiom	43	(1)
Beauty	44	(4)
Big Bang	48	(2)
Black Hole	50	(2)
Book	52	(2)
Celestial Motion	54	(1)
Chance	55	(1)
Change	56	(1)
Chaos	57	(1)
Comet	58	(5)
Communication	63	(1)
Compulsory	64	(1)
Concept	65	(2)
Constellation	67	(8)
Andromeda	70	(1)
Arcturus	70	(1)
Aries	71	(1)
Canis Major	71	(1)
Capricornus	71	(1)
Draco	71	(1)
Libra	72	(1)
Lost Pleiad	72	(1)
Orion	72	(1)
Pleiades	73	(1)
Sagittarius	73	(1)
Scorpio	73	(1)
Southern Cross	74	(1)
Virgo	74	(1)
Cosmochemistry	75	(1)
Cosmogony	76	(1)
Cosmology	77	(2)
Cosmos	79	(2)
Creation	81	(1)
Curiosity	82	(2)
Dark Matter	84	(1)
Data	85	(1)
Depletion	86	(1)
Design	87	(1)
Determinism	88	(1)
Differential Equations	89	(2)
Dimension	91	(1)
Discovery	92	(4)
Distance	96	(1)
Dogma	97	(1)
Dust	98	(2)
Eclipse	100	(4)
Electron	104	(1)
Ellipse	105	(1)
Energy	106	(3)
Equation	109	(1)
Error	110	(1)
Eternity	111	(2)
Event	113	(1)
Experiment	114	(1)
Extraterrestrial Life	115	(9)
Fact	124	(4)
Force	128	(1)
Formula	129	(1)
Fusion	130	(1)
Future	131	(1)
Galaxy	132	(2)
Geometry	134	(2)
God	136	(4)
Grain	140	(1)
Gravitational Lens	141	(1)
Gravity	142	(2)
Heavens	144	(4)
Hypothesis	148	(2)
Idea	150	(2)
Ignorance	152	(1)
Imagination	153	(4)
Impossible	157	(1)
Infinite	158	(3)
Instrument	161	(3)
Interaction	164	(1)
Knowledge	165	(4)
Laws	169	(3)
Learn	172	(1)
Life	173	(2)
Light	175	(2)
Logic	177	(2)
Magnetic	179	(1)
Man	180	(2)
Matter	182	(2)
Measurement	184	(1)
Mechanics	185	(1)
Mere	186	(1)
Metaphor	187	(1)
Meteor	188	(4)
Milky Way	192	(3)
Mind	195	(3)
Model	198	(1)
Molecule	199	(1)
Momentum	200	(1)
Moon	201	(5)
Moon Landing	206	(2)
Motion	208	(2)
Muon	210	(1)
Nature	211	(6)
Neutrino	217	(1)
Night	218	(2)
Notation	220	(1)
Novae	221	(1)
Observation	222	(6)
Observatory	228	(1)
Observer	229	(1)
Order	230	(2)
Other Worlds	232	(1)
Paradox	233	(1)
Particle	234	(2)
Past	236	(1)
Patterns	237	(2)
Phenomenon	239	(2)
Philosophy	241	(3)
Photons	244	(1)
Physicist	245	(3)
Physics	248	(8)
Pion	256	(1)
Planet	257	(11)
Mercury	260	(1)
Venus	261	(1)
Earth	261	(3)
Mars	264	(1)
Jupiter	265	(1)
Saturn	265	(1)
Uranus	266	(1)
Neptune	266	(1)
Pluto	267	(1)
Positron	268	(1)
Problem	269	(2)
Progress	271	(2)
Proof	273	(4)
Quantum	277	(3)
Quasar	280	(1)
Question	281	(2)
Radio Astronomy	283	(2)
Reality	285	(3)
Reason	288	(2)
Red Shift	290	(2)
Relativity	292	(1)
Research	293	(1)
Scattering	294	(1)
Science	295	(13)
Scientific	308	(2)
Scientist	310	(2)
Senses	312	(1)
Shadow	313	(2)
Simplicity	315	(2)
Sky	317	(4)
Solar System	321	(2)
Space	323	(5)
Spacetime	328	(2)
Space Travel	330	(4)
Spectra	334	(2)
Spin	336	(1)
Spiral Arms	337	(1)
Star	338	(16)
Study	354	(1)
Stupidity	355	(1)
Sun	356	(4)
Sunspot	360	(1)
Supernova	361	(2)
Symmetry	363	(2)
Teach	365	(1)
Telescope	366	(5)
Theory	371	(5)
Thermodynamics	376	(2)
Time	378	(4)
Time Travel	382	(1)
Truth	383	(2)
Ufo	385	(1)
Uncertainty	386	(1)
Understand	387	(2)
Universe	389	(27)
Cosmogenesis	408	(2)
Dying	410	(4)
Saint Augustine Era	414	(2)
Unknown	416	(2)
Vacuum	418	(1)
Vernal Equinox	419	(1)
Vernier	420	(1)
Wave	421	(1)
Wisdom	422	(1)
Work	423	(1)
World	424	(2)
Writing	426	(2)
Bibliography	428	(32)
Permissions	460	(6)
Subject by Author Index	466	(55)
Author by Subject Index	521