2007/04/18 by Simon D. M. White, Simon D M White · 1 voice · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Social Sciences · #Carry (investment) #Convergence (economics) #Dark energy #Energy (signal processing) #History and Developments in Astronomy #International Science and Diplomacy #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #Vitality #astro-ph #gr-qc #hep-ph #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/0034-4885/70/6/r01
published as Rept.Prog.Phys.70:883-898,2007 · Essay commissioned for publication in Reports on Progress in Physics. 19 pages including 3 figures
arxiv created 2007/04/18 · arxiv published 2007/04/18 · arxiv updated 2007/04/18 · openalex publication_date 2007/05/16 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Astronomers carry out observations to explore the diverse processes and objects which populate our Universe. High-energy physicists carry out experiments to approach the Fundamental Theory underlying space, time and matter. Dark Energy is a unique link between them, reflecting deep aspects of the Fundamental Theory, yet apparently accessible only through astronomical observation. Large sections of the two communities have therefore converged in support of astronomical projects to constrain Dark Energy. In this essay I argue that this convergence can be damaging for astronomy. The two communities have different methodologies and different scientific cultures. By uncritically adopting the values of an alien system, astronomers risk undermining the foundations of their own current success and endangering the future vitality of their field. Dark Energy is undeniably an interesting problem to tackle through astronomical observation, but it is one of many and not necessarily the one where significant progress is most likely to follow a major investment of resources.