Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Vyg

(Encyclopedia)Vyg vĭg [key], Finn. Uikujärvi, Rus. Vygozero, lake, c.300 sq mi (780 sq km), NW European Russia, in Karelia, between Lake Onega and the White Sea. It is fed by the Vyg River, which also drains it i...

Arnold, Henry Harley

(Encyclopedia)Arnold, Henry Harley, 1886–1950, American general, chief of the U.S. Army Air Forces (1942–46), known as “Hap” Arnold, B. Gladwyne, Pa., grad. West Point, 1907. Assigned (1911) to the aviation...

Gwynn, Tony

(Encyclopedia)Gwynn, Tony (Anthony Keith Gwynn), 1960–2014, American baseball player and coach, b. Los Angeles. He played baseball and basketball at San Diego State Univ., and had a record 590 career assists as a...

Griffey, Ken, Jr.

(Encyclopedia)Griffey, Ken, Jr. (George Kenneth Griffey, Jr.), 1969–, American baseball player, b. Donora, Pa. The son of a veteran outfielder, he joined the Seattle Mariners of the American League in 1989, playe...

Ivins, Molly

(Encyclopedia)Ivins, Molly (Mary Tyler Ivins), 1944–2007, U.S. journalist and political columnist, b. Monterey, Calif., B.A. Smith College, 1966, M.A. Columbia School of Journalism, 1967. A decided liberal with a...

Altair

(Encyclopedia)Altair ăltäˈĭr [key], brightest star in the constellation Aquila (Eagle); Bayer designation α Aquilae; 1992 position R.A. 19h50.5m, Dec. +8°51′. Its apparent magnitude is 0.74, making it one o...

Pratt, Parley Parker

(Encyclopedia)Pratt, Parley Parker, 1807–57, Mormon apostle, b. Otsego co., N.Y.; brother of Orson Pratt. He joined (1830) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was made an apostle in 1835. In 1838,...

Parton, Dolly

(Encyclopedia)Parton, Dolly, 1946–, country singer, songwriter, and actress, b. Sevier County, Tenn. Among the most popular country singers of the 1970s and 80s, Parton is known for her Nashville-style flamboyanc...

occultation

(Encyclopedia)occultation ŏkˌəltāˈshən [key], in astronomy, eclipse of one celestial body by another, e.g., when the moon lies between a star and the earth. Occultations of stars by the moon are important in ...

Cassiopeia, in astronomy

(Encyclopedia)Cassiopeia, in astronomy, prominent northern constellation located almost directly opposite the Big Dipper across the north celestial pole. Five bright stars in the constellation form a rough W (or M)...

Browse by Subject