Small telescope astronomical research has grown in the last few decades, due in large part to the development of low cost, yet high quality, telescopes and instruments, as well as their detectors and remote access over the Internet. Today, many professional, amateur, undergraduate and high school student astronomers are conducting their research in partnerships referred to as "communities of practice." 
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This handbook describes how these communities are formed and how everyone can contribute to science through published research. Although this book focuses on student-led small telescope research, the same principles apply to professional- and amateur-led research. Two specific examples, double star astrometry and exoplanet transit photometry, are used to illustrate how small telescope science research projects can be completed and submitted for publication within a modest timeframe.
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This book is the primary resource that is used in the Astronomy Research Seminar. The book is available in hardcover, softcover, and as an e-book. Click on the appropriate link below to purchase the textbook of choice. If you have any questions or difficulties, please write to InStAR at: research@in4star.org.
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