Space groups – the final frontier: a tutorial guided tour of some entries in International Tables for Crystallography Volume A

After an introductory section providing some basic foundation, definitions, and terminology regarding space group symmetry in crystal structures, three particular examples are selected to demonstrate the information given for each space-group type in the standard reference book International Tables for Crystallography Volume A (current sixth edition). The format and layout of the information is explained, and the most important items of the content are described, together with some practical applications. This treatment should enable readers unfamiliar with the tables to use them confidently in understanding and interpreting crystal structures belonging to these and other space-group types.