(Encyclopedia) DioneDionedīōˈnē [key], in astronomy, one of the named moons, or natural satellites, of Saturn. Also known as Saturn IV (or S4), Dione is 695 mi (1,120 km) in diameter, orbits Saturn…
(Encyclopedia) Fellini, FedericoFellini, Federicofādārēˈkō fāl-lēˈnē [key], 1920–93, Italian film director. After World War II he wrote screenplays for such neorealistic films as Rossellini's Open…
(Encyclopedia) Alexie, Sherman (Sherman Joseph Alexie, Jr.), 1966–, Native American writer, b. Wellpinit, Spokane Indian Reservation, E Wash., studied Gonzaga Univ. and Washington State Univ. (B.A.,…
(Encyclopedia) United States Naval Observatory, a federal astronomical observatory, located in Washington, D. C. It evolved from the Navy's oldest scientific institution, the Depot of Charts and…
(Encyclopedia) Van Allen, James Alfred, 1914–2006, American physicist and space scientist, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. A graduate (Ph.D 1939) of and professor of physics (1951–85) at what is now the Univ. of…
(Encyclopedia) JoshuaJoshuajŏshˈ&oomacr;ə [key], book of the Bible. It is the first book of the Deuteronomic history (Joshua–2 Kings), in which the theological outlook of the Book of Deuteronomy…
(Encyclopedia) SiriusSiriussĭrˈēəs [key], or Dog Star, brightest star in the sky. It is located in the constellation Canis Major (1992 position R.A. 6h44.8m, Dec. −16°42′); its Bayer designation is…
(Encyclopedia) Brahe, TychoBrahe, Tychotīˈkō brä [key], 1546–1601, Danish astronomer. The most prominent astronomer of the late 16th cent., he paved the way for future discoveries by improving…
WHY IS MARS CALLED THE RED PLANET? WHAT IS MARS’S SURFACE LIKE? FIND OUT MOREThis rocky planet has a thin atmosphere and ice caps at its poles. Strong winds can whip up dust storms that cover the…
IS PLUTO REALLY A PLANET? WHAT IS THE KUIPER BELT? FIND OUT MOREThis deep-frozen world of rock and ice was the last planet to be discovered—US astronomer Clyde Tombaugh spotted it in 1930. It is…
