Dennis Dawson’s lab manual gives students the thrill of learning basic astronomy concepts through first hand experiences versus taking the traditional approach of rehashing preconceived observations and analysis done by astronomers.

To overcome the need for access to remote observatories, Dawson has cleverly created exercises that are developed around the use of equipment that students would likely have on hand or could construct inexpensively. Students acquire the necessary commitment to understanding basic concepts, basic experimental procedures, the concept of experimental uncertainty, and the discipline of drawing conclusions from information gained first hand.