{"title":"Independent evidence in multi-messenger astrophysics","authors":"Jamee Elder","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2024.02.006","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this paper I discuss the first “multi-messenger” observations of a binary neutron star merger and kilonova. These observations, touted as “revolutionary,” included both gravitational-wave and electromagnetic observations <em>of a single source</em>. I draw on analogies between astrophysics and historical sciences (e.g., paleontology) to explain the significance of this for (gravitational-wave) astrophysics. In particular, I argue that having independent lines of evidence about a target system enables the use of argumentative strategies—the “Sherlock Holmes” method and consilience—that help overcome the key challenges astrophysics faces as an observational and historical science.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"104 ","pages":"Pages 119-129"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","FirstCategoryId":"98","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039368124000165","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
In this paper I discuss the first “multi-messenger” observations of a binary neutron star merger and kilonova. These observations, touted as “revolutionary,” included both gravitational-wave and electromagnetic observations of a single source. I draw on analogies between astrophysics and historical sciences (e.g., paleontology) to explain the significance of this for (gravitational-wave) astrophysics. In particular, I argue that having independent lines of evidence about a target system enables the use of argumentative strategies—the “Sherlock Holmes” method and consilience—that help overcome the key challenges astrophysics faces as an observational and historical science.
期刊介绍：
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science is devoted to the integrated study of the history, philosophy and sociology of the sciences. The editors encourage contributions both in the long-established areas of the history of the sciences and the philosophy of the sciences and in the topical areas of historiography of the sciences, the sciences in relation to gender, culture and society and the sciences in relation to arts. The Journal is international in scope and content and publishes papers from a wide range of countries and cultural traditions.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
分享
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
扫码关注我们
