9352519 Gerritsen A new astronomy laboratory program is being established that will be central to Brown's introductory astronomy courses. The laboratory will include basic training in observational techniques, observation of a star cluster (such as the Pleiades) to develop an H-R diagram from which distance can be calculated, and independent photometric investigations of selected eclipsing binary variable stars. The equipment will enable more sophisticated laboratory exercises in the astronomy curriculum, allow students to pursue independent investigations, and provide training for students to take advantage of the more advanced opportunities for research with astronomers from other colleges in the New England Consortium of Undergraduate Science Education (NECUSE). The availability of this equipment will attract more students to the already popular astronomy courses at Brown and will provide some of them who wish to do so the necessary background to pursue advanced studies in astronomy. ***
