Provides background information and references on Comet Halley (which will be observable by telescope in October 1985 and reach its most brilliant appearance in March and April of 1986). Suggestions for equipment and maps of its path through the sky are included. (DH)

Presents an annotated list of nontechnical astronomy books in these categories: amateur astronomy; children's books; cosmology; galaxies; general astronomy; history of astronomy; life in the universe; physics and astronomy; pseudoscience; quasars and active galaxies; solar system; space exploration; stars/stellar evolution; sun; astronomy…

Explains the physical principles which result in various colors of the sky. Topics addressed include: blueness, mystical properties of water vapor, ozone, fluctuation theory of scattering, variation of purity and brightness, and red sunsets and sunrises. (DH)

In most astronomy courses, descriptions of stars and constellations reveal the western European origins of the astronomers who named them. However, it is suggested that a study of non-western views be incorporated into astronomy curricula. Descriptions of various stars and constellations from different cultures and instructional strategies are…

Argues in favor of establishing an accreditable curriculum in "pure" astronautical engineering (leading to a bachelor of science degree in this field), giving reasons why such reform is needed (including equating "astronautics" with "aeronautics") and why a new curriculum is needed. (JN)

Describes how a planetarium was constructed on the ceiling of a traditional physics laboratory. Similarities and differences between the "poor man's" planetarium and other planetariums are noted. (JN)

A planetarium program interpreting a Spanish poem about the moon recited by members of an intermediate Spanish class is described. (RM)

This analysis concerns the development and use of a model for evaluating student outcomes involving a school-associated planetarium. The model concerns three basic goal areas; the cognitive, affective, and process skill areas. The test data analyzed on elementary, secondary and college levels found little positive correlation between goal areas.…

This roster contains detailed information from the annual Survey of Enrollments and Degrees. The report contains data reported by degree-granting astronomy departments in the United States for 1998-1999 introductory astronomy course enrollments, 1998-1999 degrees, and fall 1999 undergraduate majors and graduate student enrollments. In the United…

This issue of Exploratorium focuses on water and its varied uses in our environment. Articles include: (1) "Adventures with Water" (Eric Muller); (2) "Water: The Liquid of Life" (Karen E. Kalumuck); (3) "Water-Drop Projector" (Gorazd Planinsic); (4) "Waterways and Means" (Pearl Tesler); (5) "Explore Natural Phenomena in the Museum--and Just…

Discusses the Doppler effect as it applies to different situations, such as a stationary source of sound with the observer moving, a stationary observer, and the sound source and observer both moving. Police radar, satellite surveillance radar, radar astronomy, and the Doppler navigator, are discussed as applications of Doppler shift. (JR)

A topical approach in astronomy provides greater coherence and meaning for the information presented than does a survey approach. Topics are presented and evaluated in relation to the goals of an astronomy course. (DF)

The newest and most exotic manner in which stars die is investigated. A brief outline is presented, along with a discussion of the role supernova play, followed by a description of how the black holes originate, exist, and how they might be detected. (DF)