Elementary Astronomy

a book by
Dr. James N. Pierce
Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at
Minnesota State University, Mankato

Title: Elementary Astronomy
Author: James N. Pierce
Copyright: 2013
Elementary Astronomy was originally published in 2000 by Good Apple (see the full story). In 2012, the rights to the book were returned to me; revisions since then have resulted in the current product.
Format: 2.5 MB pdf; 134 pages (8.5" x 11")
Price: FREE! View the pdf, save a copy to your device, print a paper copy -- no charge. (See license details at bottom of this page.)

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Elementary Astronomy is a book written specifically for teachers (and parents) of students in grades K-6. The astronomy topics it covers are those most commonly found in these grade levels: Earth and Sun; night and day; seasons; phases of the Moon; eclipses; the solar system; planets; the night sky; constellations. Also included are explanations of other terms and phenomena necessary to understand these topics, such as gravity, orbits, rotation, revolution, shadows, equinoxes, solstices, and star trails.

No prior knowledge of astronomy is required; the book is intended as a self-contained tutorial for those wishing to learn the basics of everyday astronomy. Although it contains enough numbers to serve as a convenient reference for data on planets and other bodies, Elementary Astronomy is not heavy on mathematics. Most of the material is presented using explanatory text and simple sketches.

Elementary Astronomy is especially useful to

teachers in elementary and middle schools who wish to learn enough astronomy to cover the astronomy units in their science programs;
teachers at any level who need a simple, handy reference that