Impact of Astrophysics Research on Society

The contributions to society of astrophysical research

Naive view of astrophysics research

Understanding context and creating a balanced discourse on the impact of research

Why should we build a balanced view

Miscellany

Research on astrophysical research

Why?

properly assess what the true effects are on society

What has been done?

Economic impact of ESO's VLT

better prepare researchers to conduct their research efficiently and constructively

need to be aware of the context in which we do research

dearth of unbiased, quantitative research

What could be done?

effect of the new techniques implemented

improvement of international relations.

bolsters the credibility of such endeavors.

pinpoint areas that need to be addressed.

Technology

Inspiration

Knowledge

Data-analysis techniques

Image processing and analysis

International relations

collaboration across the world to coordinate telescope time and share findings

insight into how disparate cultures can work together for a common purpose

medical fields, doctor diagnoses

Astrophysics

Particle physics

Theoretical physics

Nuclear physics

Students inspired to study STEM

Private companies to sponsor technological innovation

Media

Historical

Future possibilities

CCDs in cameras

"[Astronomy] acts as a window into the immense size and complexity of space, putting Earth into perspective and promoting global sitizenship and pride in out home planet." (Rosenburg, et. al.)

Programming languages (IDL, FORTH)

GPS (uses quasars for accurate positioning)

Aerospace

Military, early warning systems

Medicine

Fusion technology

MRI

CT scanners

PET scan

clean room protocals

tumour detection

WLAN (wifi configuration)

X-ray at TSA security checks

probe structural weakening of buildings, noninvasive

exchange of knowledge

Urban planning

energy consumption

On a basic level, what astrophysics research teaches is how to assess and build models around huge, complex data sets. These are skills that can be carried into a variety of fields if a researcher can collaborate

offer expertise and techniques to other fields

results often come in the form of long-term results

The study of astrophysics offers techniques and the impetus to solve complex problems that can then be applied to a variety of fields—fields that directly affect the way that people live their lives.

learning how to accurately assess data to come to real-world conclusions about problems

counter the drawbacks to conducting research, such as ballooning costs or controversial infrastructure

cross-collaboration is immense, and there are so many more problems that can be solved by looking at them with different perspectives.

Researchers in other areas can also learn about the ways in which astrophysics can contribute to their own work

It offers society a variety of skilled and innovative people who can apply their expertise to more than analyzing stars.

innovative solutions to a variety of fields

One-sided sources

sources that talked about the benefits of astrophysics only talked about the benefits; sources that talked about the downsides of astrophysics only talked about the downsides.

The literature that introduces hard research looking at the benefits and costs of astrophysical research is sparse. Much of what is talked about is hearsay or reporting only—very little hard data.

scientists don’t always consider the ramifications of their work

scientists in outreach largely only speak to the benefits

those who oppose elements of research only disparage it

Perceived as reveling in the pursuit of knowledge only for the sake of expanding our understanding of the universe

scientists in outreach positions have a tendency to isolate themselves, and perhaps have some pathological need to prove that what they are doing is worth it

The conversation calls for a voice that combines these perspectives and offers a kind of calculus regarding the overall societal yield of this kind of research.

research should not exist in a bubble.

important to discuss the value of scientific endeavors no matter the field in such a way that demonstrates its worth beyond the scientific community

Scientists have a responsibility to recognize when they have overstepped the rights of individuals or when they are not conducting science in an efficient and fiscally responsible way.

Create a nuanced view of how astrophysics both contributes to and detracts from society

Astrophysics research at the level it is conducted today requires:

complex infrastructure

economic oportunities

international relations

survey the whole sky takes the who world

Economic

It offers economic opportunities for innovation and job creation.

continued client-supplier relationships with astro orgs (NASA, ESO, etc.)

companies of all sizes respond to need

create jobs

Both sides need to be weighed when assessing the value of any particular project.

more informed assessment of the value.

Science for science’s sake is a wonderful ideal but can be prohibitive and irresponsible in some cases.

Ineffciencies

Delays in completion

Added expenses

Disregarding rights of individuals

DKIST and TMT in Hawaii

Science should not be done at the expense of certain groups.

We can only improve our process if we know what we are doing wrong.

Others will see how beneficial this type of research can be and so will be more inclined to fund it.

Creating science outreach that is balanced and nuanced is more credible, leading to more support for the efforts they present.

if society at large sees that astrophysical researchers are doing their work in a conscientious way, others will see that the science is done responsibly.

Given an unlimited budget and an isolated situation, we could do all the science we could ever dream of.

For example, the same kind of study can go into the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) or the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). The TMT would be interesting in particular to look at (once built) because of the controversy over its site.

questioned my career path to continue studying astrophysics.

Specifically, I could see myself using the information I have learned here to apply to programs that are harnessing cross-disciplinary techniques.

would want to look more into studies that use data analysis and imaging techniques and quantify how those techniques better inform the policy decisions for urban centers or the diagnoses in medical situations.

I would want to look into other fields, keeping my ears open for other ways that the techniques learned in astrophysics could help move the needle in other fields.

As something that is done almost entirely for the sake of knowledge alone, we need to conduct scientific research in a way that empowers people rather than setting them back

more of these studies could be done, especially in light of the costs of building the JWST and the controversy around the site of the TMT.

Non-Astro Scientists

Non-scientists

Perhaps political individuals can learn from the international collaboration done in the name of astrophysics.

Astrophysics is not just some isolated field that does its share of navel-gazing, nor should it be.

The potential of collaboration itself adds another layer of inspiration for humanity to benefit from. Perhaps we can better learn how to address other international issues from the way that scientists do.

bolstering scientific endeavors brings everyone forward

Astrophysics inspires students to pursue a whole swath of STEM fields

There have been numerous studies on how the level of scientific education is correlated to the success of a nation.

assess their own fields in a similar way

Scientists

look to astrophysicists to help solve problems they are having in their field.

foster scientists who look outside of their field

see how their activities affect the world away from their research

true value of the benefits will become clearer and stronger.

more educated public