Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) gamma-ray astronomy, study of astronomical objects by analysis of the most energetic electromagnetic radiation they emit. Gamma rays are shorter in wavelength and hence more energetic than X rays (see...

(Encyclopedia) Robinson, Sugar Ray, 1920–89, American boxer, b. Detroit as Walker Smith, Jr. He began boxing after three years of high school in New York City. Having won all his amateur fights (about 90), includi...

(Encyclopedia) Gamma-Ray Observatory: see gamma-ray astronomy. ...

(Encyclopedia) Nagin, Ray (Clarence Ray Nagin, Jr.), 1956–, African-American politician, b. New Orleans. A Louisiana cable-television executive before entering politics, Nagin won the 2002 mayoral election handily...

(Encyclopedia) Palmer, Ray, 1808–87, American Congregational clergyman and hymn writer, b. Little Compton, R.I., grad. Yale, 1830. He held pastorates in Bath, Maine (1835–50), and Albany, N.Y. (1850–66). He is...

(Encyclopedia) Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory: see gamma-ray astronomy. ...

(Encyclopedia) Charles, Ray (Ray Charles Robinson), 1930–2004, African-American musician and composer, b. Albany, Ga. Blinded at age seven, he was raised in Florida and at 16 began singing in a local hillbilly gro...

(Encyclopedia) ray, in physics, term denoting the straight line along which light or other form of radiation is propagated from its source. It generally refers to the line of propagation of waves but is also applied...

(Encyclopedia) Eames, Ray Kaiser: see under Eames, Charles. ...

(Encyclopedia) Lankester, Sir Edwin Ray lăngˈkəstər [key], 1847–1929, English zoologist. He was a professor at University College, London (1874–90) and Oxford (1891–98) and was director of the natural hist...