Foundations of Astronomy

Foundations of Astronomy, 14th Edition is an introductory textbook that places the scientific method at the center of astronomical study. Published by Cengage Learning in 2019, the book guides students as they investigate two central questions: "What are we?" and "How do we know?"

Authors Michael A. Seeds and Dana Backman pair factual information and astronomical discoveries with a conceptual framework grounded in the logic of science. Their discussion highlights the relationship between evidence and hypothesis in astronomical inquiry.

Designed for introductory astronomy courses, the 2019 edition added "Sense of Proportion" questions to help learners grasp astronomical distances and compare the relative scales of celestial objects.