This guide provides a set of resources useful for introductory undergraduate research in Astronomy at the Cabot Science Library. This list is not intended to be exhaustive or comprehensive. Cabot Library holds the general science collections for the university; additional resources are available at the John G. Wolbach Library (Astronomy & Astrophysics). Please consult the HOLLIS catalog and the E-Research @ Harvard site for all of Harvard’s holdings.
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Dictionary of geophysics, astrophysics, and astronomy / Matzner, R.A., ed. ; Cabot REF QB14 .D53 2001
Encyclopedia of astronomy and astrophysics / Murdin, P. et al, ed. ; Cabot REF QB14 .E534 2001
or Online at: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:enastast
Encyclopedia of the solar system / Weissman, P.R. et al, ed. ; Cabot REF QB501 .E53 2007
The dictionary of space technology / Angelo, J.A. Jr., 2nd ed. ; Cabot REF TL788 .A53 1999
Encyclopedia of Space Science and Technology / Mark, H., ed. ; Cabot REF QB497 .E53 2003
The extraterrestrial encyclopedia: an alphabetical reference to all life in the universe / Darling, D. ; Cabot REF QB54 .D365 2000
A Dictionary of Astronomy / Ridpath, I., ed., Rev ed. ; Cabot REF QB14 .D52 2003 or Online in the Oxford Reference Online Premium Collection http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:oxfordro
The Universal Book of Astronomy from the Andromeda Galaxy to the Zone of Avoidance / Darling, D.J. ; Cabot REF QB14 .D37 2004
Handbooks, Almanacs, & Chronologies
Use them to find physical constants, properties, tables, etc.
The Astronomical Almanac for the year [….]: Data for Astronomy, Space Sciences, Geodesy, Surveying, Navigation and Other Applications ; Cabot REF QB8 .U6 A77 [annual] or Online at: http://asa.usno.navy.mil/
The Cambridge planetary handbook / Bakich, M.E. ; Cabot REF QB601 .B36 1999
The planetary scientist’s companion / Lodders, K. & B. Fegley. ; Cabot REF QB601 .L84 1998
Space almanac / Curtis, A.R., 2nd ed. ; Cabot QB500 .C87 1992
The chronological encyclopedia of discoveries in space / Zimmerman, R. ; Cabot REF QB500.262 .Z56 2000
Journals
Cabot Science Library has a large collection of current journals on the main floor of the library. We have couches and arm chairs available for comfortable browsing of the collection. Older issues can be found in the basement. For access to electronic copies of journals, look up the journal’s title in the HOLLIS catalog, where an internet link will be available if Harvard owns a subscription. Or you may use the E-Journals list available through the E-Research @ Harvard site. To locate individual articles within the journals, use one of the databases listed in this guide (individual articles are not available in the catalog or the e-journal list).
Databases for Journal Articles
Applied Science & Technology Index (1983- )
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:apscitec
It indexes articles, product evaluations, and book reviews in over 390 leading English-language periodicals pub-lished in the U.S. and elsewhere. The database includes trade and industrial publications, journals of professional and learned societies, and specialized subject periodicals.
Aerospace and High Technology Database (1962-)
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:aerodata
It provides bibliographic coverage of basic and applied research in aeronautics, astronautics, and space sciences. In addition to periodic literature, the database also includes coverage of reports issued by NASA, other U.S. government agencies, international institutions, universities, and private firms.
NASA Astrophysics Data System
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:nasaadsy
The Astrophysics Data System (ADS) is a NASA-funded project which maintains four bibliographic databases containing more than 3.2 million records: Astronomy and Astrophyics, Instrumentation, Physics and Geophysics, and preprints in Astronomy.