The Cambridge Encylopaedia of Astronomy. Editor-in-Chief Simon Mitton MA PhD, University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy. Foreword by Sir Martin Ryle FRS, University of Cambridge, Department of Physics, Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory.

New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., (1977). First Edition. Square quarto, black cloth (hardcover), silver letters, 481 pp + Index. Fine in a Near Fine dust jacket. From dust jacket: Astronomy has been transformed in the last two decades by a series of dramatic discoveries that have left most reference books completely out of date. The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Astronomy presents a broadly based survey of the whole of astronomy which places emphasis on these critical new findings. New instruments, such as radio telescopes and X-ray satellites, have produced completely different views of the heavens. Man’s own journeys into space and probes to many other planets have contributed significantly to our growing knowledge. In the realms of the stars, astronomers have discovered organic molecules, the precursors of life itself. In the far Universe, entire galaxies have been found that have suffered enormous explosions and that now emit prodigious quantities of high-energy rays. These are just a few of the highlights from an era that unquestionably will be looked upon as a golden age for astronomy. As reference works have been largely overtaken by the onward rush of data, so direction of research has also radically altered. Only a totally new approach could give a comprehensive guide to modern astronomical knowledge. The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Astronomy accurately reflects the new balance in astronomy, giving due weight to those areas in which the changes have been most marked. The encylopaedia has coincided well with the completion of many important space missions to the moon and thus excellent photographs have been obtained from NASA in addition to the mass of completely new astronomical photographs obtained from leading observatories and the series of diagrams drawn exclusively for this book. The star atlas -- 14 pages of sky maps which show every star that is visible to the naked eye -- is produced by computer from the definitive professional sky atlas prepared by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Every section of the encylopaedia, which ranges over the whole of astronomy, has been written by researchers active in the field concerned. There are descriptive sections on planets, our Sun, the stars, galaxies, life in the Universe and cosmology. Practical aspects of astronomy are covered in depth in the chapters that describe professional and amateur instruments. Topics such as binary stars, neutron stars and black holes bring the reader to areas of the very latest research. The Cambridge Encyclopaedia carries the distinction of an internationally eminent Advisory Board. Most of the fifteen contributing authors are associated with the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge, one of the world’s leading research centres.