Research Guides: Astronomy: Books & Reference Sources

Reference Sources

Encyclopedia of the History of Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013)
This comprehensive encyclopedia covers the full history of astronomy from its ancient origins in Africa, South America, the Middle East and China to the latest developments in astrophysics and space-based research.

PDS: Planetary System Data
Scientific data from NASA planetary missions, astronomical observations, and laboratory measurements.
Weisstein's World of Astronomy
Encyclopedia of astronomy maintained by Eric Weisstein and sponsored by Wolfram Research.

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Reference data related to chemistry, physics, astronomy, mathematics, and other fields of science.

Procceedings of AIP (1972-2011)
Various conference proceedings from American Institute of Physics available at UNM.

50 Physics Ideas You Really Need to Know
In a series of 50 accessible essays the author introduces and explains the fundamental physical concepts and laws that govern the inners workings of our universe.

LibreTexts: Physics
Textbooks and learning objects to support post-secondary learning for physics and astronomy.

Very Short Introductions

These pocket-sized books written by expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Also include bibliographies.

Observational Astronomy - Geoff Cottrell (2023)
Provides an overview of how modern observational astronomy is revealing the mysteries of the Universe. Also covers the new astronomies based on observations of cosmic neutrinos and gravitational waves. These, allied with with traditional astronomical methods, offer highly informative multi-messenger pictures of the Universe.
The History of Astronomy - Michael Hoskin (2003)
Traces the history of Western astronomy, from prehistoric times to the origins of astrophysics in the mid-nineteenth century and the technical developments since the Second World War.
The Sun - Philip Judge (2020)
Explores the science, structure, origins, workings, and future evolution of the Sun and solar physics, and its impact on life on earth.
Physics - Sidney Perkowitz (2019)
Provides an overview of how this pervasive science came to be and how it works. It presents the theories and outcomes of pure and applied physics from ideas of the Greek natural philosophers to modern quantum mechanics, cosmology, digital electronics, and energy production.
Particle Physics - Frank Close (2024)
Discusses the features and functions of particles such as quarks, electrons, and neutrinos, and of gluons and bosons. It includes the key role and significance of the Higgs boson in moulding these foundational elements and giving structure to matter. It highlights how discoveries in particle physics were made and have radically changed understanding of the material universe.
Philosophy of Physics - David Wallace (2021)
Explores the core topics of philosophy of physics through three key themes: the nature of space and time; the origin of irreversibility and probability in the physics of large systems; how we can make sense of quantum mechanics.

Sample of Books

The Character of Physical Law - Feynman
Call Number: CSEL: QC28 .F4 1967

Richard Feynman offers an overview of selected physical laws and gathers their common features into one broad principle of invariance.