(Encyclopedia) synodic periodsynodic periodsĭnŏdˈĭk [key], in astronomy, length of time during which a body in the solar system makes one orbit of the sun relative to the earth, i.e., returns to the…
(Encyclopedia) halo, in meteorology, short-lived circles or arcs, and less commonly spikes and crosses, of colored or whitish light surrounding the moon or sun or in clouds as seen from above. A halo…
(Encyclopedia) Jack the Ripper, name given to an unidentified late-19th-century murderer in London, England; also known as the Whitechapel Murderer and Leather Apron. From Aug. to Nov., 1888, he was…
(Encyclopedia) Eisenstaedt, Alfred, 1898–1995, American photographer, b. Dirschau, Germany (now Tczew, Poland). Widely considered the father of photojournalism, he began creating photo essays in…
(Encyclopedia) Nordhoff, CharlesNordhoff, Charlesnôrdˈhŏf [key], 1830–1901, American journalist and author, b. Westphalia. In 1835 he emigrated with his family to Cincinnati. His service (1844–47) in…
First Olympic Appearance: 1900 by Gerry Brown and Mark Zurlo Did You Know? Boats that come in contact with a buoy out on the race course must do a 360, sailing around the buoy in a complete…
Formation of the Solar System The Sun The Moon The Moon's Phases Some Facts about Eclipses Mercury Planet Mercury Video Venus Earth Mars Planet Mars Video and Activities Jupiter…
Douglas Elton Ulman FairbanksactorBorn: 12/9/1909Birthplace: New York City Son of actor Douglas Fairbanks, he began acting as a teenager and later starred in a number of swashbuckling adventures…
(Encyclopedia) conjunction, in astronomy, alignment of two celestial bodies as seen from the earth. Conjunction of the moon and the planets is often determined by reference to the sun. When a body is…
(Encyclopedia) albedoalbedoălbēˈdō [key], reflectivity of the surface of a planet, moon, asteroid, or other celestial body that does not shine by its own light. Albedo is measured as the fraction of…
