This dictionary covers everything from space exploration and the equipment involved to astrophysics, cosmology, and the concept of time. The dictionary also includes biographical entries on eminent astronomers, as well as worldwide coverage of observatories and telescopes.

In more than 350 in-depth entries, Andrew Liddle and Jon Loveday--two authorities on theoretical and experimental cosmology--cover the entire scope of this cutting-edge field, from cosmic rays and dark energy to Higgs boson and neutrinos. Beginning with an introductory essay on Hot Big Bang Cosmology, the Companion illuminates the ideas behind our current understanding of the universe, outlines some of the fundamental physics from which those ideas emerge, and discusses the many strands of observational evidence available to the modern cosmologist. The authors tackle such fascinating topics as anti-matter, the age of the universe, black holes, quasars, radio galaxies, Superstring theory, and WIMPs (weekly interacting massive particles).

Covers all aspects of space exploration, from A-Train to Zvezda. This jargon-free new edition has been fully revised and updated to take into account new developments in space exploration on an international scale, with new entries such as Hitomi, Space X Dragon, and Ariane 5 Rocket.