Small Telescopes for Introductory Astronomy

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An introductory astronomy course for non-science majors, previously a lecture and demonstration course, is being upgraded to include a strong laboratory component. Observations, both qualitative and quantitative play a major role in the new laboratory. Small telescopes make the observational component of this new course possible. A variety of observing projects are generating an appreciation of natural phenomena unobtainable from lectures alone, and also giving students the experience of obtaining, reducing, and explaining experimental data.