Observations, Simulations, and Reasoning in Astrophysics

Philosophy of Science 87 (5):1209-1220 (2020)
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Abstract

Astrophysics faces methodological challenges as a result of being a predominantly observation-based science without access to traditional experiments. In light of these challenges, astrophysicists frequently rely on computer simulations. Using collisional ring galaxies as a case study, I argue that computer simulations play three roles in reasoning in astrophysics: (1) hypothesis testing, (2) exploring possibility space, and (3) amplifying observations.

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10.1086/710544

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Melissa Jacquart
University of Cincinnati

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References found in this work

Experiments, Simulations, and Epistemic Privilege.Emily C. Parke - 2014 - Philosophy of Science 81 (4):516-536.
The Dark Galaxy Hypothesis.Michael Weisberg, Melissa Jacquart, Barry Madore & Marja Seidel - 2018 - Philosophy of Science 85 (5):1204-1215.

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