method of discovery, a useful and reliable knowledge source, an ongoing process of refining and expanding our
understanding of the universe, and a global human endeavor. It is driven by the thrill of discovering something
new, and it is driven by the desire to answer fundamental questions about the universe. For scientists, every day
holds the possibility of discovery, as they are constantly pursuing new ideas and observations. The prospect of
answering these questions beckons science forward, as it allows us to link isolated facts into coherent and
comprehensive understandings of the natural world. The process of science is ongoing, leading to new questions
for future investigation and a global human endeavor. The pursuit of knowledge is a constant pursuit for
scientists and the world.
Science is a complex field that involves making observations, analyzing evidence, and finding answers that
make sense of all facts. It is not limited to professional scientists working in labs, as the everyday experience of
deducing that your car won't start because of a bad fuel pump or figuring out that the centipedes in your
backyard prefer shady rocks shares fundamental similarities with classically scientific discoveries like working
out DNA's double helix.
Discoveries and ideas in science are not just about answering everyday questions, but also involve a lot of hard
work and verification by multiple lines of evidence. This process can take many years, and often, discoveries are
not bolts from the blue. For example, Henrietta Leavitt's stellar discovery in 1912 allowed astronomers to infer
the distances to far-off stars and figure out the size of our own galaxy.
The process of scientific discovery is not limited to professional scientists working in labs, as the everyday
experience of deducing that your car won't start because of a bad fuel pump or figuring out that the centipedes in
your backyard prefer shady rocks shares fundamental similarities with classically scientific discoveries.