1.

In terms of the scientific method, how does astronomy differ from a lab science
like chemistry or biology? How can astronomers be confident of their
understanding of objects that are remote from the Earth?

ANS:
Astronomy is different from other sciences because the evidence comes
from remote electromagnetic radiations. It’s not a lab science and we can’t
control the experiments of universe.
Scientific method involves systematic observation, measurement, and
experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.
The basic difference is that in chemistry and biology experiments can be
performed in laboratory under specified set of conditions and a controlled
environment while in astronomy experiments can neither be performed in
labs (like we can’t study about black holes by generating them in labs ) nor
the environment can be controlled. They are happening all the times in the
far reaches of the ever expanding universe.
In chemistry, physics, and biology, evidence often comes from experiments
in a laboratory and they can be repeated and reproduced for arriving to a
solid definite conclusion in short period of time. In astronomy, objects are
very remote,(they are millions, billions and even trillions of light years away
from us) thus most of the evidence comes in the form of remote
electromagnetic radiation and patience is required to collect large set of
data over a long period of time even to observe slightest variation in
observations. Sometimes it is difficult to reach to a concrete conclusion
from the available set of data.

Now answering how can astronomers be confident of their understanding

of objects that are remote from the Earth.
The main source on which any conclusions can be made is the information
extracted from the EM Radiations received from remote celestial objects
collected through large telescopes.
If any astronomical law, hypothesis and theories constructed explain the
observations and fit the observed set of data, and supported by a large
body of observations and measurements and can make new predictions
which future measurements and observations can confirm then
astronomers can be pretty much sure that their understanding of the
observed phenomena is correct.
Many new methods and techniques (ex-gravitational lensing) have been
developed in recent times which further helps to get results from different
methods and thus helps to reach to a solid conclusion.
For instance, we can look at a star using a camera that captures radio
waves, microwaves, infrared waves, ultraviolet rays, x-rays, or gamma
rays. We can measure the star's composition using spectral analysis. We
can measure a star's relative velocity using redshift observations. In this
way, certainty about a star's nature can be established by observing it
using many different methods, and checking to make sure all these
observations agree.

2. Ancient cultures built some impressive structures that incorporated astronomical functions
and information (Stonehenge, Chichen Itza, the Great Pyramid). A friend or acquaintance of
yours tries to argue that some of these structures and artifacts are evidence of "ancient
astronauts" or visits by intelligent aliens. How would you rebut or argue against this ideas?

ANS :

Those structures symbolises our ancient culture and throws light on

thinking and understanding of astronomy by our ancestors. These
structures were mainly build as a time keeping device. These iconic
structures were based on motion of sun and moon in the sky. Baically
these were solar and lunar calendars.
The length of shadow casted by these structures would help people to
guess the time of the year which was essential for activities like
agriculture and other religious activities and festivals.
 For ex- archeoastronomers have investigated the alignments of stones
at Stonehenge and found that it represents an exquisite calendar, not
just a solar calendar but also an eclipse predictor able to predict
patterns in the sky occurring on near century timescales.Other
alignments in Stonehenge give indications that they're tracking Venus,
the phases of the moon, and perhaps Mars position in the sky as well.

Yet another magnificent example is Chaco Canyon. In a canyon and on

a high tour of rock, light is admitted through a slit in the rock and cast a
dagger like shadow on the far face. On that far face etched is a spiral in
charcoal, and the dagger on the longest day passes through the center
of the spiral. At the equinoxes, spring and fall, the dagger passes
tangents through the edges of the spiral. So this is yet another form of a
solar calendar.

The best argument lies in the statement that intelligent life from some
other world would not visit our planet just to make these obscure
structures and not establish any communication with us.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/astro/peer/CXYv7/writing-assignment-no-1-science-past-and-
present/review/SCn6vrUWEeqJmA5kT-X02w