(Encyclopedia) Messier catalogMessier catalogmĕsyāˈ [key], systematic list of nebulae and star clusters. A first list, compiled and published in 1771 by Charles Messier, contained 45 objects. The…
(Encyclopedia) ruby, precious stone, the transparent red variety of corundum, found chiefly in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka and classified among the most valuable of gems. The Myanmarese stones…
African-American track star and three-time gold medallist
by John Gettings Wilma Rudolph (foreground) wins a relay race in the 1960 Rome Olympics. (Source: AP) Related Links…
(Encyclopedia) neutrino astronomy, study of stars by means of their emission of neutrinos, fundamental particles that result from nuclear reactions and are emitted by stars along with light.…
(Encyclopedia) Ursa MajorUrsa Majorûrˈsə [key] and Ursa Minor [Lat.,=the great bear; the little bear], two conspicuous northern constellations. Known to many peoples from ancient times, these…
(Encyclopedia) Temple, Shirley, 1928–2014, American child film star, b. Santa Monica, Calif., as Shirley Jane Temple. She started in movies at three-and-a-half and starred in her first feature (Stand…
(Encyclopedia) Canopus, in astronomy, 2d brightest star in the sky, located in the constellation Carina, which is part of the ancient constellation Argo Navis; Bayer designation α Carinae; 1992…
(Encyclopedia) Fisher, Carrie Frances , 1956-2016, American actress and author, b. Burbank, Ca. Fisher’s parents were singer Eddie Fisher and actress/…
(Encyclopedia) Draco [Lat.,=the dragon], northern constellation lying SE of Ursa Minor and N of Lyra and Hercules. It is traditionally depicted as a dragon. Draco contains the bright star Eltanin (…
(Encyclopedia) Rivera, Mariano, 1969–, Panamanian baseball player. A right-handed relief pitcher nicknamed the Sandman, he joined the New York Yankees organization in 1990 and spent his entire career…
