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sidereal time

(Encyclopedia)sidereal time (ST), time measured relative to the fixed stars; thus, the sidereal day is the period during which the earth completes one rotation on its axis so that some chosen star appears twice on ...

Pleiades, in astronomy

(Encyclopedia)Pleiades plēˈədēz, plīˈ– [key], in astronomy, famous open star cluster in the constellation Taurus; cataloged as M45. The cluster consists of some 500 stars, has a diameter of 35 light-years, ...

Acrux

(Encyclopedia)Acrux āˈkrəks [key] [from the Bayer designation α Crucis], brightest star in the constellation Crux (Southern Cross); 1992 position R.A. 12h26.2m, Dec. −63°04′. Its apparent magnitude of 0.86...

nova

(Encyclopedia)nova: see supernova; variable star. ...

cluster

(Encyclopedia)cluster, in astronomy: see star cluster; galaxy. ...

Trevino, Lee

(Encyclopedia)Trevino, Lee, 1939–, American golfer, b. Dallas, Tex. Personable, witty, and extremely popular, he won the U.S. Open twice (1968 and 1971), the British Open twice (1971–72), and the PGA Championsh...

Fly, river, New Guinea

(Encyclopedia)Fly, largest river of the island of New Guinea, c.650 mi (1,050 km) long, rising in the Star Mts. and flowing generally SE through Papua New Guinea to the Gulf of Papua. The Fly is navigable for steam...

McGrory, Mary

(Encyclopedia)McGrory, Mary, 1918–2004, American journalist, b. Boston, grad. Emmanuel College. McGrory wrote with clarity, lyricism, and wit on the events and personalities of the five decades spanned by her gro...

Mira

(Encyclopedia)Mira mīˈrə [key], [Lat.,=marvelous], variable star in the constellation Cetus; Bayer designation Omicron Ceti; 1992 position R.A. 2h19.0m, Dec. −3°05′. The most famous long-period variable, Mi...

sapphire

(Encyclopedia)sapphire, precious stone. A transparent blue corundum, it is classified among the most valuable of gems. Sapphires are found chiefly in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar and also in Thailand, Tanzani...