Astronomy in the 1970s has reached an exciting phase. The spectacular results of planetary probes and the discovery of such phenomena as quasars, pulsars and black holes have stimulated a wide new interest in this age old science. These advances have led to cherished theories being abandoned, new puzzles revealed. Yets some of the basic mysteries of the universe – the origin of the Solar System, the prevalence of life on other planets, for example – remain unsolved.

          This dictionary aims to provide not only a basic framework for study of astronomy – and of how it draws on and contributes to other sciences – but also, with the aid of extensive illustrations, to capture the flavour of the exciting new research currently being pursued.