(Encyclopedia) eclipticeclipticēklĭpˈtĭk, ĭ– [key], the great circle on the celestial sphere that lies in the plane of the earth's orbit (called the plane of the ecliptic). Because of the earth's…
(Encyclopedia) elongation, in astronomy, the angular distance between two points in the sky as measured from a third point. The elongation of a planet is usually measured as the angular distance from…
(Encyclopedia) Manco CapacManco Capacmängˈkō käpäkˈ [key], legendary founder of the Inca dynasty of Peru. According to the most frequently told story, four brothers, Manco Capac, Ayar Anca, Ayar…
(Encyclopedia) weather satellite, artificial satellite used to gather data on a global basis for improvement of weather forecasting. Information includes cloud cover, storm location, temperature, and…
(Encyclopedia) reconnaissance satellite, artificial satellite launched by a country to provide intelligence information on the military activities of foreign countries. There are four major types.…
(Encyclopedia) Mars, in astronomy, 4th planet from the sun, with an orbit next in order beyond that of the earth.
Mars has two natural satellites, discovered by Asaph Hall in 1877. The innermost…
Information Please's roundup of recent discoveries by Otto Johnson It seems the latest discoveries in our annual roundup are either mutant size-busters or minor portents of disaster. From…
Millions of years from now, Los Angeles will be close to Alaska. Our world is moving constantly, spinning at a rate of 1,000 miles per hour. We are whirling around the sun at 20 miles per second.…
(Encyclopedia)
CE5
Three-frame gyroscope
gyroscopegyroscopejīˈrəskōpˌ [key], symmetrical mass, usually a wheel, mounted so that it can spin about an axis in any direction. When spinning, the…
(Encyclopedia) weather balloon, balloon used in the measurement and evaluation of mostly upper atmospheric conditions (see atmosphere). Information may be gathered during the vertical ascent of the…
