Yu. V. Aleksandrov

By this author

On the possibility of a third revolution in astronomy

from 01.09.2008

This work examines perspectives and possibilities for a third revolution in the past four hundred years of astronomical investigation. For criteria of revolution, the authors follow the definition in I. S. Shklovsky’s «The second revolution in astronomy is approaching its end.» The first and second revolutions in astronomy were tied, respectively, to the introduction of optical instruments (i.e., telescopes) and instruments using the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Such major shifts caused the appearance of objects of research and the formation of new paradigms. At the current stage of the development of astronomy, in contrast to the two previous revolutions, there exists wider diversity of possibility for improving methods and methodologies for astronomical observation. A range of factors account for this diversity, including the development of traditional optics, information processing, space-based technologies, and instruments connected to research on gravitational waves and dark energy. New objects of research point to the existence of dark matter and planets outside the solar system. This, along with a new paradigm in physics - string theory - allows one to envision a possibility of the upcoming third revolution in astronomy.

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