Can astronomers be trusted?

Question

does academic astronomy reflect the reality of space or is it all a numbers game geeks play between zit popping contests?

Answer 1

We should be able to trust those who study the heavens for us, especially when it comes to interpretations of the heavens. Although, I knew people who tried to convey astronomy to the world, most of them PHDs. They tried hard. It isn't their fault.

It can be seen as more of a 'who writes the most papers' game.  As one elder Professor/PHD explained to me.  

Although I do respect what they have done through painstaking observing, it tends to be out stretched data in the end. Repetitive.

Thank God for Kepler!

Answer 2

astronomers are subject to the pressures of their peer group, grant and funding providers, and the government. this happens too frequently in the scientific community, and is most unfortunate, i'm sorry to say.

Answer 3

i think were nowhere near understanding and will be a long time before we do

Answer 4

You don't need to trust them, you can trust the data they provide. A telescope can't lie.

Answer 5

I think we can say they know what they are talking about as they know a lot more about the subject than you or i do

Answer 6

Wow... not only are you being VERY stereo-typical, but your also insulting people in the astronomy profession, and those like me, who are simply interested in the subject. I find your question rude an disrespectful. The study of astronomy is a very dignified science, and has given us many answers to the looming questions about our universe. Ever heard of the big bang? Hawking radiation? The Hubble constant? Those weren't created by geeks popping zits.

And while I'm at it, lets get something clear: Nerds are generally smarter than geeks... geeks are the ones that play dungeon and dragons... nerds are usually smart in a subject, and despite what people think, we actually do have a social life.

Answer 7

They are knowledgeable and dedicated scientists. The say it as they see it. There are some suppositions and theories but as time goes on these become facts.

Answer 8

No.

They're just parrots of lies.

Believe them if you want and you will find yourself in the New World Order very soon.

Answer 9

NO!

Trust in God!

Answer 10

It's not all bad news.. a vast majority are religious types, you can trust them... can't you?

i was fairly open minded when I typed that tongue it cheek remark (which was actually a fair point). Considering the answers been downrated 4 times & the responses, I can only assume they're all nerdy tossers ! Don't trust them, they'll try to steal your girlfriend so they can lose their virginity!

Answer 11

Astronomers and other scientists do not need to be trusted. Their work is submitted for peer-review, critical scrutiny and debate. That is the point of science, it is ultimately self-correcting, and unlike religion or politics, does not require you to take anyones word for anything.

Answer 12

We have a d**n sight more idea of what is going on than you!!! Did you get your phd on the internet?  your did you do three years of soul destroying research to prove to your peers that you are a WORLD expert on your subject!

I think not.

Answer 13

No one can be trusted.  That's why the scientific method uses skepticism.  The scientific communities' consensus opinion is mostly right.  But every now and then, a maverick like Einstein comes in out of the blue and rocks the boat.  It can take a little while for the scientific community to wake up, but they will look at the evidence and change their minds.  This does not happen often in politics or religion.   This makes the scientific consensus more valuable.

In astronomy, you aren't generally designing your experiment.  You have to make observations, and figure it out.  So if you find a supernova, you need to get others to also observe it. That's well before you publish. And, this sort of thing can't be faked - the sky is the sky.  So many call astronomy the most true of the sciences.

Answer 14

  Only the honest ones.

Answer 15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJirnJSwq...

Answer 16

They tell the truth as they see it like those in the past said the earth was round. In other words they are clueless

Answer 17

My guess is that you're not a science graduate yourself. My degrees are in other subjects, but I have the intelligence, education and respect to have a huge appreciation for the work of astronomers and all scientists. With your insulting, crass and oafish remarks, the only person that you've brought scorn upon is yourself. How about educating yourself about astronomy, rather than being a coward and making fun of people whose work you clearly have no knowledge of? It might open your eyes.