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Orbiting Astronomical Observatory
(Encyclopedia) Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO), series of four orbiting observatories (see observatory, orbiting) launched between 1966 and 1972 by the National Aeronautics and Space…trachea
(Encyclopedia) tracheatracheatrāˈkēə [key] or windpipe, principal tube that carries air to and from the lungs. It is about 41&fslsh;2 in. (11.4 cm) long and about 3&fslsh;4 in. (1.9 cm) in…incinerator
(Encyclopedia) incinerator, furnace for burning refuse. The older and simpler kind of incinerator was a brick-lined cell with a metal grate over a lower ash pit, with one opening in the top or side…zodiacal light
(Encyclopedia) zodiacal light or zodiacal band, a faint band of light sometimes seen in the western sky just after sunset in the spring, extending up from the horizon at the point where the sun has…Halley's comet
(Encyclopedia) Halley's comet or Comet HalleyHalley's comethălˈē, hāˈlē [key], periodic comet named for Edmond Halley, who observed it in 1682 and identified it as the one observed in 1531 and 1607.…kapok
(Encyclopedia) kapokkapokkāˈpŏk, kăpˈək [key], name for a tropical tree of the family Bombacaceae (bombax family) and for the fiber (floss) obtained from the seeds in the ripened pods. The floss has…abrasive
(Encyclopedia) abrasive, material used to grind, smooth, cut, or polish another substance. Natural abrasives include sand, pumice, corundum, and ground quartz. Carborundum (silicon carbide) and…firebrick
(Encyclopedia) firebrick, brick that can withstand high temperatures, used to line flues, stacks, furnaces, and fireplaces. In general, such bricks have high melting points that range from about 2,…Polke, Sigmar
(Encyclopedia) Polke, Sigmar, 1941–2011, innovative German artist best known for his paintings and photography. His family immigrated from East to West Germany in 1953, and he lived in Düsseldorf,…Desai, Anita
(Encyclopedia) Desai, AnitaDesai, Anitadĕsīˈ [key], 1937–, Indian fiction writer, b. Mussoorie as Anita Mazumdar, grad. Delhi Univ. (B.A., 1957). A prolific novelist, she often paints a subtly…Trending
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