The book Astro4U: An Introduction to the Science of the Cosmos excites students about the grandeur of astronomy and how the universe functions. Filled with vibrant figures and informative tables that support the written text, the book has a fresh, casual, student-friendly tone that dramatically increases interest in the material while also making it more accessible.

The book provides a college-level description of science with astronomy serving as the vehicle of delivery for displaying the scientific model. The content follows a traditional progression of scale, beginning with a study of the sky, followed by discussions of ancient and medieval astronomy, modern scientific practices, and key physical principles.

Chapters move through the Solar System, stars, then galaxies, and finally the cosmos as a whole. Additionally, the book presents astronomy as the story of light and gravity, crucial threads that permeate the text.

Because students often express concern about the math content in astronomy classes, the book begins with a chapter entitled "Astro Maths" that reviews all the mathematical skills and concepts needed to complete the course. This up-front investment increases student confidence, eliminates one of the primary blocks students face, and improves chances for student achievement and success.

Astro4U is written for general education survey courses in astronomy that are geared to non-science majors.