Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers

The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers is a unique and valuable resource for historians and astronomers alike. It includes approx. 1850 biographical sketches on astronomers from antiquity to modern times. It is the collective work of 430 authors edited by an editorial board of 8 historians and astronomers. This reference provides biographical information on astronomers and cosmologists by utilizing contemporary historical scholarship. The fully corrected and updated second edition adds approximately 300 biographical sketches. Based on ongoing research and feedback from the community, the new entries will fill gaps and provide expansions. In addition, greater emphasis on Russo phone astronomers and radio astronomers is given. Individual entries vary from 100 to 1500 words, including the likes of the super luminaries such as Newton and Einstein, as well as lesser-known astronomers like Galileo's acolyte, Mario Guiducci.

• Hockey biographies
• Russian astronomers biographies
• arab astronomers biographies
• biographical encyclopedia science
• biographies of astronomers
• biographies of cosmologists
• contemporary historical scholarship
• historical astronomers
• history of astronomy
• non-western astronomers
• radio astronomer biographies

“The Encyclopedia is not only a tale of the scholar’s life but is also a very thorough introduction to the most important astronomical achievements throughout history. … This Encyclopedia is full of real-life stories of such discoveries and sparkling lives and would be a very valuable reading and research resource into the history of astronomy and science itself.” (Hooshang Nayyeri, The Observatory, Vol. 135 (1247), August, 2015)

“The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers aims to give a comprehensive overview of astronomers from antiquity to contemporary times. … The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers is a strong reference work with a scope and range of content which is impressive and relevant. It is clear that it would be of use to people with an interest in the subject area, and for librarians seeking resources to assist them.” (Alana Farrell, Reference Reviews, Vol. 29 (7), 2015)

“The entries run from a few sentences to several pages long and give a basic idea about what the person worked on and their contributions to science and also about their life. … It is a very necessary book. … if you want to know even more about someone it is quite easy to continue your research, as the entries are followed by selected references that provide more detailed information. I quite like using this encyclopedia … .” (Kadri Tinn, AstroMadness.com, December, 2014)

• Department of Earth Science, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, USA

  Thomas Hockey

• University of California, Irvine School of Physical Sciences, Irvine, USA

  Virginia Trimble

• Rice University, Houston, USA

  Thomas R. Williams

• Whitman College, Walla Walla, USA

  Katherine Bracher

• York Univesity, Toronto, Canada

  Richard A. Jarrell

• University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA

  Jordan D. Marché

• University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA

  JoAnn Palmeri

• Harvard University, Cambridge, USA

  Daniel W. E. Green

Thomas Hockey received the first PhD in Astronomy & History granted by New Mexico State University, studying under astronomers Herbert and Reta Beebe and historian William Eamon. The near-alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and the exploitation of that alignment by the Voyager spacecraft (1980s), inspired Hockey to conduct a historical examination of the outer Solar System. The impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy-9 with Jupiter (1994) created new interest in his historical study of the giant planet. Hockey’s subsequent book led to the publishing relationship that today results in the multi-year effort known as the Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers.

Thomas Hockey is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Northern Iowa. He serves as chair of the American Astronomical Society’s [AAS] Historical Astronomy Division and is secretary of the International Astronomical Union’s Commission 41 Working Group on Astronomy and World Heritage. He also edit’s the AAS’s journal, Astronomy Education Review. Hockey is married with two children and a Siberian Husky.

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