Article Astronomers Measure Precise Distance to Controversial Star Essay

Article Astronomers Measure Precise Distance to Controversial Star Cluster - Essay Example The further the distance of the star, the smaller the size of the parallax. Astronomy is a social activity where astronomers discuss ideas and interpret data while at the same time arguing on what the observation mean. In the scientific method, they make use of both the inductive and the deductive reasoning to learn about astronomy. In inductive reasoning, they make use of observations and use the results to make generalizations about astronomy. These generalizations may lead into a new theory or elaborations on a theory. They may also make use of deductive reasoning where the existing theories are subjected to rational considerations to come up with logical theory consequences. The consequences could result into new theories and other predictions testable through various experiments. For instance, there are radio astronomers claiming that they have determined a distance of the Pleiades cluster of star from the earth. However, the results contradict that of European satellite aimed at measuring stellar distances. The European space agency launched a Hipparcos satellite to measure a parallax of 100000 stars (Croswell, 2014). Unfortunately, a certain booster failed to fire leaving a satellite in an elliptical orbit around the earth resulting into complicated data analysis. Despite this, Hipparcos scientists released the data indicating the Pleiades cluster was closer to the earth. This raised a controversy since the analysis of data had been distorted. However, scientists agreed on a new methodology to resolve the ongoing controversy. They had to launch the Gaia spacecraft which measures parallaxes of billion stars including multiple Pleiades. The scientists are optimistic that by the end of a decade, then individuals will have a sure proof of how far the cluster is from the earth. However, this could raise more controversies if its findings contradict what the astronomers think they know. Thus, astronomers use the scientific