This section will discuss three concepts to begin our study of Astronomy. These will be

• The Scientific Method
• Scientific Notation
• Measures and Units

The Scientific Method

We can break up the scientific method into the following steps. If you apply some thought, you may come to find that there are many facets of life which fall into the category of "scientific".

Observation: Observation may be the key process in Astronomy. For most of the experiments astronomers perform, they may only look (observe). They don't have the luxury of utilizing any of the other senses. On the other hand, any experiment observed by one astronomer, anywhere in the world, can be observed by another astronomer with similar equipment. Observation is not unique to Astronomy. Its the keystone in all sciences, from Anatomy to Zoology.

Hypotheses: After we have observed an object or event, we ask ourselves, "What is it?" or "What's going on?" The hypothesis tries to answer that question. It strives to explain the observation. Once a hypothesis is formed, the scientist must be open to other possibilities in case the first hypothesis proves incorrect. Above all, an hypothesis must be contradictable. If it is not possible to contradict the hypothesis, it isn't science.

Prediction: Once the hypothesis is formed, it must be able to predict events or observations at a later time.

Testing: Once the prediction is established, the scientist conducts an experiment to test the validity of the prediction, and therefore the hypothesis.

One point above deserves emphasis again, the hypothesis must be contradictable to be considered science. This key statement differentiates science from non-science. I can make a hypothesis that the sun orbits the Earth. There are many predictions which would support the theory. Daily observations of the sun would indicate that my hypothesis is correct. However, some measurements will contradict the statement (the motions of other planets for example). So the hypothesis is scientific, but false. On the other hand, if I say the sun is pulled through the universe by a charioteer (call him Helios) that we cannot see, I cannot disprove the statement. Therefore, it does not satisfy the requirements of science.

An internet search on "scientific method" generated thousands of hits. I perused only a few, but some were very helpful in explaining the process. Others gave small experiments to demonstrate the process. Your textbook and this link give an explanation of scientific models. Refer there and the web for further information.

This page was last updated on 06/06/01.