Providing the tools and know-how to apply the principles of astronomy first-hand, these 43 laboratory exercises each contain an introduction that clearly shows budding astronomers why the particular topic of that lab is of interest and relevant to astronomy. About one-third of the exercises are devoted solely to observation, and no mathematics is required beyond simple high school algebra and trigonometry.Organizes exercises into six major topics--sky, optics and spectroscopy, celestial mechanics, solar system, stellar properties, and exploration and other topics--providing clear outlines of what is involved in the exercise, its purpose, and what procedures and apparatus are to be used. Offers variations on standard and popular exercises, and includes many that are new and innovative, such as "The Messier List" which helps users discover basic facts about the Milky Way Galaxy by plotting these objects on a star chart; "Motions of Earth" demonstrates just how fast the Earth is moving through space and in which direction it is going, and; "Radioactivity and Time" which measures the half-life of a short-lived isotope, and consider radioactive dating and heating of celestial bodies. Includes a guide to astronomical pronunciations, a guide to the constellations, spectral classifications, quotes on science, and more.For astronomers.

Astronomy is a fun and challenging science for students. This manual is intended for one- and two-semester astronomy courses and uses hands-on, engaging activities to get students looking at the sky and developing a lifelong interest in astronomy.

This book presents experiments which will teach physics relevant to astronomy. The astronomer, as instructor, frequently faces this need when his college or university has no astronomy department and any astronomy course is taught in the physics department. The physicist, as instructor, will find this intellectually appealing when faced with teaching an introductory astronomy course. From these experiments, the student will acquire important analytical tools, learn physics appropriate to astronomy, and experience instrument calibration and the direct gathering and analysis of data. Experiments that can be performed in one laboratory session as well as semester-long observation projects are included.

Disc contains searchable data on stars and deep-sky objects, with images.

Plain-language explanations and a rich set of supporting material help students understand the mathematical concepts and techniques of astronomy.

For the experienced amateur astronomer who is wondering if there is something useful, valuable, and permanent that can be done with his or her observational skills, the answer is, “Yes, there is!” This is THE book for the amateur astronomer who is ready to take the next step in his or her astronomical journey. Till now there has been no text that points curious amateur astronomers to the research possibilities open to them. At the 2006 meeting of the Society for Astronomical Sciences, participants agreed that the lack of such a text was a serious gap in the astronomical book market. This book plugs that hole.

Hirshfeld's Astronomy Activity and Laboratory Manual is a collection of twenty classroom-based exercises that provide an active-learning approach to mastering and comprehending key elements of astronomy. Used as a stand-alone activity book, or as a supplement to any mainstream astronomy text, this manual provides a broad, historical approach to the field through a narrative conveying how astronomers gradually assembled their comprehensive picture of the cosmos over time. Each activity has been carefully designed to be implemented in classrooms of any size, and require no specialized equipment beyond a pencil, straightedge, and calculator. The necessary mathematical background is introduced on an as-needed basis for every activity and is accessible for most undergraduate students. This learn-by-doing approach is sure to engage and excite your introductory astronomy students!

Ferguson's flexible and useful INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY EXERCISES, Second Edition, provides professors and students with laboratory exercises that are well-tested, current, and flexible to individual course needs. These labs have a variety of origins and authors, and bring a broad range of activity to the introductory astronomy lab. Most require only inexpensive equipment. INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY EXERCISES, Second Edition, gives students practical experience with the things they only read about in their book, such as using a telescope and CCD photography. Ferguson groups the exercises together by whether they deal with the solar system or stars and other objects beyond the solar system. Three introductory exercises on using telescopes, viewing constellations and the Celestial Sphere, and using numbers in science set the stage and help readers overcome anxiety. A combination of indoor and outdoor labs allows for adjustments due to weather conditions. A chart that cross-references exercises in this manual to relevant chapters in Brooks/Cole astronomy books adds to the book's flexibility, and help the instructor reinforce selected topics.