| Library Materials > Reference Sources |
Encyclopedias
This guide is a list of some of the reference tools available for study and research in the field of Physics and Astronomy. Encyclopedia articles, written by subject authorities, provide information useful for gaining a basic understanding of a topic and getting started with a research project. Typically, a bibliography for further research follows each article. Students will find also these resources useful for brushing up on topics related to their central area of investigation. [Note: See the Research Guides for sources that deal with narrower sub-fields within the discipline.]
Biographical encyclopedia of scientists. John Daintith ... [et al.]. Bristol ; Philadelphia : Institute of Physics Pub., c1994.
A reference that presents biographical entries on important scientists, from the earliest times to the present. The entries contain basic biographical data--place and date of birth, posts held, etc.--but most of the space is given to the nature and importance of the subjects' main scientific achievements.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] Q141 .B53 1994 v.1-2
Encyclopedia of applied physics. Edited by George L. Trigg ; associate editors, Eduardo S. Vera, Walter Greulich. New York, NY : VCH Publishers, c1991-c1998.
"This 23 volume encyclopedia unites the concept of modern physics with their numerous technical applications. It covers modern technologies where most of the work is done by engineers, but where physics research is a necessary part of further developments. In addition, it discusses laboratory-oriented research of crucial importance in the scientific community and of great potential for future industrial applications."
CALL NUMBER: QC5 .E543 1991 v.1-23
Encyclopedia of astronomy and astrophysics. Editor-in-chief Paul Murdin. Bristol ; Philadelphia : Institute of Physics Pub. ; London ; New York : Nature Pub. Group, 2001.
Nature Publishing Group and Institute of Physics Publishing have published an extensive and comprehensive reference work in astronomy and astrophysics, with 700 main articles and a slightly greater number of short entries.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QB14 .E534 2001 v.1-4
Encyclopedia of physics. Edited by Rita G. Lerner, George L. Trigg. New York : VCH, c1991.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QC5 .E545 1991
History of astronomy : an encyclopedia. Edited by John Lankford. New York : Garland Pub., 1997.
Over 300 signed essays ranging from a paragraph to several pages discuss astronomy as it has been practiced from the ancient world to the space age. Essays cover historical overviews such as calendars and telescopes, observatories including the Hubble orbiting telescope, developments in regions and countries, social history such as women in astronomy and the Copernican Revolution, specialties such as astrophysics and celestial mechanics, and biographies.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QB15 .H624 1997
The International encyclopedia of astronomy. Edited by Patrick Moore ; introduction by Leif Robinson. New York : Orion Books, c1987.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QB14 .I58 1987
Macmillan encyclopedia of physics. John S. Rigden, editor in chief. New York : Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996.
This reference offers clear explanations of the basic concepts, history, philosophy, fundamental theories and laws of physics, as well as biographical entries featuring physicists who have contributed to our knowledge of the physical world. Articles are arranged in alphabetical order and include cross-references and bibliographic references as recent as 1996.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QC5 .M15 1996 v. 1-4
Subject Dictionaries
These specialized subject dictionaries define the terminology in the discipline. See the Research Guides for sources that deal with narrower sub-fields within the discipline.
Mitton, Jacqueline.
Cambridge dictionary of astronomy. Cambridge, U.K. ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2001.
This authoritative work provides definitions of over 3200 words, names, and abbreviations commonly found in astronomy. The definitions vary in length from a few sentences to several paragraphs and are clearly written and very informative.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QB14 .M55 2001
Dictionary of geophysics, astrophysics, and astronomy. Edited by Richard A. Matzner. Boca Raton : CRC Press, c2001.
"Provides a lexicon of terminology covering fields such as astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, relativity, geophysics, meteorology, Newtonian physics, and oceanography." With over 4,000 definitions and 50 contributing authors.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QB14 .D53 2001
Oxford Reference Online: Physical Sciences & Mathematics. [ Online ] Oxford University Press, 2004. Available: http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/SUBJECT_SEARCH.html?subject=s19 (Accessed 21 April 2004).
As part of the Oxford Reference Online Collection, this subset includes: A Dictionary of Astronomy, A Dictionary of Physics, A Dictionary of Scientists, and A Dictionary of Weights, Measures, and Units.
Physically speaking : a dictionary of quotations on physics and astronomy. Selected and arranged by Carl C. Gaither and Alma E. Cavazos-Gaither ; illustrated by Andrew Slocombe. Bristol ; Philadelphia : Institute of Physics Pub., c1997.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QC5 .P47 1997
Melaragno, Michele G.
Quantification in science : the VNR dictionary of engineering units and measures. New York : Van Nostrand Reinhold, c1991.
CALL NUMBER: [Ref] QC61 .M34 1991
Handbooks
Handbooks collect basic, practical information�formulas, tables of data, classification systems, definitions�for professionals operating within a discipline.
Tuma, Jan J.
Handbook of physical calculations : definitions, formulas, technical applications, physical tables, conversion tables, graphs, dictionary of physical terms. New York : McGraw-Hill, [1976]
CALL NUMBER: QC61 .T85
Handbook of physical quantities. Edited by Igor S. Grigoriev and Evgenii Z. Meilikhov. Boca Raton : CRC Press, c1997.
"This extensive reference provides reliable and quickly accessible information concerning the physical phenomena and properties of various media, including basic physical parameters and properties of substances employed in modern science and industry. The material is divided into the following branches: -- Mechanics-- Thermodynamics-- Transport Phenomena-- Electricity & Magnetism-- Optics and Lasers-- Nuclear Physics-- Astronomy-- Geophysics"
[Ref] QC61 .H36 1997
Benenson, Walter.
Handbook of physics. New York : Springer, 2002.
"This is a veritable toolbox for working scientists, engineers, and students who need quick access to a wealth of information on all branches of physics. Contains a carefully structured table of contents and cross-referencing system that allows for direct and swift access to information."
CALL NUMBER: QC61 .T3713 2002
Sources of Statistics
The library subscribes to the ASI Microfiche Library. Every document indexed in ASI since 1979 is available in this library. In addition to the ASI Microfiche Library for federal government publications containing statistical data, the library also subscribes to the SRI Microfiche Library, containing most but not every non-federal statistical item indexed in SRI. A third collection, Index to International Statistics, deals with statistical material from international, intergovernmental bodies, completes the package. Online access to the database�and to some of the documents themselves�is available through the Statistical Universe component of LexisNexis Academic Universe.
Citation Guides and Style Manuals
Style manuals and citations guides illustrate how to cite book, journal, and other research sources, including materials found in online databases and on the Web according to the conventional format of a particular discipline. Subject specific citation guides are listed below, and a complete listing appears at Reference Sites: Citation Guides and Style Manuals.
AIP Style Manual - Downloadable sections in PDF from the 4th edition (1990) of American Institute of Physics manual.
Online! A Reference Guide to Using Internet Sources. [ Online ] Andrew Harnack and Eugene Kleppinger. Available: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/
| Library Materials > Books: LC Class Number Guide |
Books in Schaffer Library are arranged by Library of Congress Class number. Class numbers are searchable in the Web Catalog and browsable in the Stacks and Reference Collection. A selected list:
| QB 1 - 991 |
Astronomy |
| QB 460 - 466 |
Astrophysics |
| QB 500.5 - 785 |
Solar system |
| QB 799 - 903 |
Stars |
| QC 1 - 999 |
Physics |
| QC 1 - 75 |
General |
| QC 81 - 114 |
Weights & Measures |
| QC 170 - 197 |
Atomic physics. Including molecular physics, relativity, quantum theory, and solid state physics |
| QC 350 - 467 |
Optics. Light |
| QC 770 - 798 |
Nuclear and particle physics |
| QC 851 - 999 |
Meteorology. Climatology |
| Library Materials > New Acquisitions |
The New Acquisitions List�residing on the Library Catalogs page�is generated on the 10th of each month and includes items added to the library's collections for the previous calendar month.
| Library Materials > Senior Theses / Senior Project |
Microfiche copies of Senior honors theses are maintained in the Library. For details on the Library's theses holdings, formats, access, photocopying restrictions, and searching for a thesis in the online catalog, see the Thesis Search page.
| Course-Related Materials > Research Guides |
Research Guides supplement the broader Research by Subject pages by focusing on the print and electronic resources that are most useful for a course-specific research assignment. For faculty, the Research Guides provide structured access to the Library and Internet resources relevant to their own work or in advising students on their research projects. For students working independently, it serves as a reminder of services and materials offered within the library while at the same time providing a gateway for information available from remote sites.
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