Unraveling the Mysteries of the Night Sky. Fact-filled and image-rich guide to the principles of astronomy, its history, a host of fun facts, and helpful tips for the backyard or budding astronomers! We look to the heavens and wonder in awe. Shooting stars, constellations, planets, galaxies, and the unknown. What is out there? Who is out there? How did the stars and planets come to be? What does it all mean? The last few years have brought an explosion of information leading to serious consideration of questions once deemed crazy. Do other universes exist? Are there planets that could harbor life? From a neutron star to a black hole; from the Higgs Boson particle to cosmic strings; from the speed of light to gamma radiation; plus a universe of ideas and concepts in between, The Handy Astronomy Answer Book takes you on a journey through the history, science and the latest findings in astronomy. This book tells the story of astronomy―of the cosmos and its contents, and of humanity’s efforts throughout history to unlock its secrets and solve its mysteries. You’ll learn the answers to more than 1,000 questions on astronomy and space, including … What is astrobiology? - What is the Dresden Codex, and what does it say about Mayan astronomy? - What happened between Galileo and the Catholic Church? - What is the longest time that a human has been in space? - What is a gamma-ray burst? - How do I use a star chart to find stars and constellations? - How do space and time relate to one another? - What were considered to be NASA’s four great observatories in space? - How do astronomers map the night sky? - How many constellations are there? - How has the discovery of exoplanets affected the search for extraterrestrial life? - Could a moon found in a star's habitable zone support life as we know it? - How will the universe end? From the basic physics and history of astronomy to using star charts, telescopes, and other helpful hints for the home astronomer, and from space mission programs to the greatest adventure of all―the search for life beyond Earth― The Handy Astronomy Answer Book includes information on virtually every topic related to outer space. Containing over 120 illustrations and photos, this book brings the wonders of our universe to life! "The book is written in understandable language, but the answers are not over-simplified and provide sufficient detail for understanding the concept or feature described, making this book appropriate for readers for high school to college."— American Reference Books "The range of topics [this book] presents is vast and comprehensive, with many fascinating informational tidbits. [T]his book remains stimulating and useful, whether one dips through its pages haphazardly or reads it cover to cover."— Book Review Digest "What a super reference book! ... The answers are written so that a non-scientist can glean some understanding. Take this book in small bites and savor each one, then move on to the next topic of interest."— Children's Literature " The Handy Astronomy Answer Book ... poses hundreds of heady questions about such matters as the Big Bang, sunspots, black holes, quarks, neutrinos and Carl Sagan. [A] handy reference, ... accessible writing and careful structure [convey] the pleasures of science and discovery."— Kirkus Reviews "This clearly written and up-to-date title—it includes a readable definition and description of the Higgs boson particle—is an informative and browsable addition for young adults and adults."— Library Journal "includes information on virtually every topic related to outer space ... this book brings the wonders of our universe to life."— Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin "As the third edition, it just keeps getting better and more cutting–edge with its answers. I highly recommend this book. Some of the topics become very technical while others remain very basic so the book appeals to a wide range of audiences."— National Science Teachers Association "If you have questions about space or astronomy, this book will provide what you want to know."— San Antonio Express-News "seamless accessibility … combined with its concise and informative prose, engages readers as they move from the Earth, across the Milky Way, and beyond. … generous illustrations throughout ... handy for working on research projects or general reading, is a recommended purchase for media centers and public libraries."— School Library Journal "True to its title ... all that and more. Amazingly brief entries cover enormous topics."— Seattle Times Charles Liu is a professor of astrophysics at the City University of New York's College of Staten Island and an associate with the Hayden Planetarium and Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. His research focuses on colliding galaxies, starburst galaxies, quasars, and the star formation history of the universe. In addition to his research publications,