Why do these kids not understand the scientific process?

Question

Before the 20th century there were no galaxies! Of course there were galaxies, but nobody had recognised that many misty nebulae were awesome wheels of billions of stars. Only in the early 20th century did Hubble establish that these objects were at massive distances beyond our galaxy.

So, are we to keep calling these galaxies, nebulae, just for nostalgic reasons? Nebulae are simply clouds of gas or dust in space, and the word nebula means cloud, which is what galaxies look like until you throw more magnification at them.

So, why isn't everybody up in arms about the status change for galaxies.

Animals and plants are reclassified all the time, as scientists realise that they have been grouping them wrongly.

So, since astronomers first discovered that planets weren't just wandering stars, they have had the right to say what is a planet and what isn't.

In the light of new information, Pluto cannot be classified as a planet.

Answer 1

i see you are a true lover of science and math.

i agree with you, the world is really dumb, that makes me so angry.

Answer 2

The scientific process is not usually taught in science classes until you get to college, if then. Most science classes teach science as a collection of facts to be memorized - which is a big problem in science education.

And some ideas don't change until enough of the people who had those ideas die - I still hear people refer to the Andromeda Nebula instead of the Andromeda Galaxy. It'll probably be decades until people get used to not calling Pluto a planet.

You're absolutely right, science is fluid and changes when the evidence shows that it must. But people are resistant to change. It's all very silly, if you ask me.

Answer 3

Omg you think too much, when you think about it a galaxy IS a nebula, what are we but a giant cloud of debris essentially? If you believe the Big Bang theory then that's what we are, and therefor we're a nebula just on a rather larger scale.

Answer 4

Because they ARE kids and they don't understand. They are just learning. At least they are taking an active interest in something in their new world