The Sun is our powerhouse, sustaining life on Earth, energizing our planet, and fueling the engine of life. Its warmth drives our weather, lifting water from the seas, and producing winds that drive clouds over the continents. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Sun is the fundamental, up-to-date reference source of information about this life-enhancing star, covering everything from basic facts to detailed concepts. Organized thematically, chapters feature: -the properties of the Sun as a star -the Sun's place in the Galaxy and the Universe -the science of the Sun's interior -the sun's visible disk -what makes the sun shine. Kenneth Lang also explains solar flares and the solar wind, and their impact on the Earth. Many full-color figures and photographs throughout the book make all the information highly accessible. Kenneth R. Lang is a professor of astronomy in the Physics and Astronomy Department at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. He is the author of several astrophysics books including Wanderers in Space (Cambridge, 1991), Sun, Earth and Sky (Copernicus, 1997), and The Sun from Space (Springer Verlag, 2000). Everything you ever wanted to know about the sun, the powerhouse of our galaxy, sustaining life on earth, driving the weather, providing warmth and light--and, directly or indirectly, almost all the energy that plants and animals use. Less a classic encyclopedia than a topic-by-topic textbook introducing readers to all things solar, astronomer Lang's compendium offers the very latest scientific views on a range of matters, from fundamental constants to the composition of sunlight, from the role of sunspots in terrestrial weather and human history to the methods scientists use to forecast such phenomena today, from the origins of the universe to days to come--when, 7 billion years from now, the "aging Sun will swell up to become a giant star," one that will spread to occupy the space the earth now occupies, and far beyond. Abundant photographs, charts, and line drawings, all very well made, accompany the text, which also includes a recent bibliography and a glossary of current terms. Highly useful for students of astronomy and space science, this attractive volume will require little updating for years to come, and it serves as the best single general reference work on the subject. --Gregory McNamee The purpose of this volume is to provide a thorough, up-to-date reference on all aspects of our home star, from basic physical data to detailed concepts. Written by an astronomer and award-winning author of numerous books and articles, the work is intended for both the specialist and the interested layperson. It is written in a clear style with a minimum of equations. Focus boxes provide added information without interrupting the flow of the narrative. Tables of fundamental data complement the text. Each of the nine chapters addresses a different theme. These themes include physical properties, the magnetic solar atmosphere, solar winds and explosions, solar observations, and the Sun-Earth connection. The volume is well illustrated with figures and photographs in both color and black and white. A 35-page glossary provides definitions of terms and acronyms as well as information on telescopes, satellites, and instruments. A short annotated bibliography and an unannotated directory of Web sites are appended. Indexing is crucial in an encyclopedia that is thematically arranged; fortunately, the index that concludes the volume is quite detailed. Most astronomy-related reference books provide some basic information on the Sun. This encyclopedia is particularly suited to academic and special libraries with a need for more comprehensive information. REVWR Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "Illustrations are numerous, well chosen, and colorful, and many readers will probably find the 37-page glossary useful." Sky & Telescope "Written by an astronomer and award-winning author of numerous books and articles...It is written in a clear style with a minimum of equations...The volume is well illustrated...the index that concludes the volume is quite detailed." BOOKLIST Dec 2001 "Lang answers the age old question "Why does the sun shine?" in this clearly written, up-to-date, informative text.... [T]his is a wonderful current, comprehensive companion to the study of the sun that would be a solid addition to any academic reference collection...." Choice Comprehensive, authoritative and full-colour reference source for anyone interested in our Sun. Kenneth R. Lang is Professor of Astronomy at Tufts University. Used Book in Good Condition