Astronomy
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| Getting Research Assistance | Library Catalog | Catalog Tips | Databases | Database Tips | Websites |
Just getting started?
Start by doing some background research. Take time to engage in some brainstorming exercises that will help you identify key subject terms. Encyclopedias and other reference resources can be used to help you refine your subject terms and the citations in these sources can be used to find more information on your topic.
Consider how much time you have to complete your assignment and how hard it will be to get the resources you need for your topic. If you are finding your research difficult to manage, narrow your topic or break your research down into manageable sub-topics. If you are not finding enough information on your topic, try using broader subject terms.
Other Useful Guides
| Guide to the Library | Using Databases | Citation Guide |
Library Catalog: Books, Videos, e-Books and more!
Call number areas to browse
| Astronomy | QB 1-999 | General Astronomy | QB 1-139 | Practical and Spherical Astronomy | QB 140-237 | Theoretical Astronomy and Celestial Mechanics | QB 349-421 | Astrogeology | QB 455-456 | Astrophysics | QB 460-466 | Descriptive Astronomy | QB 495-903 | Cosmogony. Cosmology | QB 980-991 |
The books in the library are organized by subject. You can browse these call number areas to find related books. So, if you are searching the library catalog and find a book that looks interesting or particularly relevant to your research, you can search the shelves in the library in the same call number area to find related items.
Reference Sources
| Title | Call Number |
| Cambridge Illustrated Dictionary of Astronomy | REF QB14 .M553 2007 |
| A Companion to Astronomy and Astrophysics : Chronology and Glossary with Data Tables | REF QB14 .L36 2006 |
| Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Astronomy | REF QB62 .P35 2002 |
| The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Universe | REF QB14 .I588 2001 |
| Find More |
The reference collection is located at the back, right-hand side of the library. Items in this collection cannot be checked out, but a copier is conveniently located so you can make copies of the resources you find.
To search the Library Catalog for reference books about Astronomy, go to www.lonestar.edu/library and select Library Catalog. Enter "Astronomy" or a related subfield into the "Subject" field and then limit your search by selecting "Collection: Reference Books" from the Collections/Media menu.
To limit your search to items located at Montgomery Library, select "Location: LSC-Montgomery" in the Locations menu.
Circulating Books
| Title | Call Number |
| Einstein's Telescope : the Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe | QB791.3 .G38 2010 |
| Three Steps to the Universe : From the Sun to Black Holes to the Mystery of Dark Matter | QB521 .G29 2010 |
| Secrets of the Universe : How We Discovered the Cosmos | QB982 .M87 2009 |
| Archives of the Universe : A Treasury of Astronomy's Historic Works of Discovery | QB15 .A75 2004 |
| Find More Astronomy | Find More Astrophysics | Find More Cosmology |
To search the Library Catalog for books about Astronomy, go to www.lonestar.edu/library and select Library Catalog. Enter "Astronomy" or a related subfield into the "Subject" field and then limit your search to items you can check-out by selecting "Collection: Circulating Books" from the Collections/Media menu.
To limit your search to items located at Montgomery Library, select "Location: LSC-Montgomery" in the Locations menu.
E-Books
| Title | E-Book Type |
| Back to the Astronomy Cafe: More Questions and Answers about the Cosmos from "Ask the Astronomer" | netLibrary eBook |
| The Complete Idiot's Guide to Astronomy | netLibrary eBook |
| Space Science in the Twenty-first Century. Overview: Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015 | netLibrary eBook |
| Classical and Quantum Black Holes | netLibrary eBook |
| Find More Astronomy | Find More Astrophysics | Find More Cosmology |
To search the Library Catalog for e-books about Astronomy or a related subfield, go to www.lonestar.edu/library and select Library Catalog. Enter "Astronomy" or a related subfield into the "Subject" field and then limit your search to items you can check-out by selecting "Collection: Electronic Books" from the Collections/Media menu.
To limit your search to items available to Montgomery Library patrons only, select "Location: LSC-Montgomery" in the Locations menu.
Audio/Visual Materials
| Title | Call Number |
| Most of our Universe is Missing | QB791.3 .M67 2006 |
| Mysteries of deep space | QB981 .M9784 1997 |
| Galileo’s “Dialogue” | QB41.G173 G25 1997 |
| The Universe | QB982 .U55 2008 |
| Find More Astronomy | Find More Big Bang Theory | Find More Outer Space |
To search the Library Catalog for books about Astronomy, go to www.lonestar.edu/library and select Library Catalog. Enter "Astronomy" or a related subfield into the "Subject" field and then limit your search to items you can check-out by selecting "Media: Videos, DVDs, films, slides, etc." from the Collections/Media menu.
To limit your search to items located at Montgomery Library, select "Location: LSC-Montgomery" in the Locations menu.
| Discover | Science News | Scientific American |
| The Scientist |
The periodical section is located in front of the circulating collection, next to the outdoor patio area. The periodical collection is organized by title. These items cannot be checked out, but there is a copy machine available adjacent to the periodical section.
Tips!
Requesting items not available at Montgomery Library:
If there is an item listed in the catalog, but it is not located at Montgomery Library, just select the “Request First Available Copy of this Item” button from the catalog record to have the item sent to Montgomery Library for pick-up. To complete your request, you need your library barcode and PIN number. Generally, your PIN number is the last 4 digits of the phone number you used to register for classes. If you have problems accessing the databases, contact the Circulation Desk in person, at 936.273.7387 or email mclr@lonestar.edu
If the item is not available in the catalog:
Just select the “Requests” tab located in the upper, right-hand side of the screen. Complete and submit the Inter-Library Loan Request Form – LSCS. Contact a librarian if you need help!Research Databases: Find journal, magazine, and newspaper articles
| Academic Search Complete | Science and Techonology Collection |
| Science | Films on Demand - Astronomy |
Tips!
Finding the right database:
If you’d like to explore a subject area: Access the Research Databases: www.lonestar.edu/library -> Research Databases -> Select a category that is relevant to your topic.
If you know the title of the journal you’re looking for, use the A to Z Electronic Journal Search to find out which database provides access to that journal: www.lonestar.edu/library -> Research Databases -> A to Z Electronic Journal Search -> Select “Search” tab
If you know the database title: www.lonestar.edu/library -> Research Databases -> Find Database by Title
If the full-text/PDF version of an article is not available, select the “Check LinkSource for more information” link to see if another database offers full-text access.
Accessing Databases from Home:
You can access these databases from home, but you need your library barcode and PIN number. Generally, your PIN number is the last 4 digits of the phone number you used to register for classes. If you have problems accessing the databases, contact the Circulation Desk in person, at 936.273.7387 or email mclr@lonestar.eduInterlibrary Loan (ILL):
If you are not able to find a resource that you need in the databases or in the library catalog, you can request the item via the Interlibrary Loan Form: http://www.lonestar.edu/library/interlibrary-request.htmScholarly, Peer-Reviewed Sources
Scholarly articles are written by an authority on the subject and are meant to share primary research with others in the field. Unlike popular sources, scholarly sources generally have a narrow audience and include a clear author or sponsoring association. These documents are very structured and usually include a literature review, methodology, and extensive citations. Many scholarly sources are also peer-reviewed which means others in the field reviewed the work before it was published. Many databases will allow you to limit your search to scholarly and/or peer-reviewed sources – look for this option.Websites
Occasionally the librarians at LSC - Montgomery library will find a website they consider exceptional or particularly useful for academic research.
| Digital Librarian – Astronomy and Aerospace | National Space Science Data Center | Astronomy |
| Sky and Telescope | NASA News | Current Night Sky Report |
Getting research assistance . . .
Subject Librarian
Sarah Palacios-Wilhelm| Email: sarah.a.palacios-wilhelm@lonestar.edu | Phone: 936-273-7393 | Office: bldg. F-161 |
Reference Desk
| Email: mclr@lonestar.edu | Phone: 936 273 7390 |
Department Contacts
Department Home: LSCS Astronomy Program
| Name | Phone Number | Office Number |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mike Sundermann, Department Chair | 936.272.3077 | bldg. B 200-M |
| Ronald Dewlen, Dean | 936.271.6177 | bldg. B 200-B |
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