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Old 06-09-2019, 08:10 PM
Wavytone
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Killara, Sydney
Posts: 4,147
Astronomy is an odd physical science in a couple of respects.

Some measurements and calculations can be done to stunningly high orders of precision - measurements of the moons shape and distance to centimetres, or Suns diameter, the NASA/JPL ephemeris of the solar system and Astro-navigation by space craft.

Yet other measurements are quite imprecise - uncertainties of a factor of 2 are not uncommon regarding the dimensions of DSOs where the deeper the image the more to be seen.

For physics it's also the test lab for the very biggest of things (planets, stars, black holes, galaxies) while also the test lab for the very smallest (extremely high energy particles beyond what can be produced on earth). Then mix in relativity and quantum electrodynamics just for fun.
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