Scientific Inquiry

Scientists must follow the scientific method to complete experiments so that the results can be verified by others. Other scientists must be able to repeat the same experiment and get the same results and conclusions.

Making predictions and observations is critical to the scientific method. You may wonder how something in the natural world occurs--why are plants in some areas tall, while the same plant in another area is not? Why do clouds form in some areas and not in the very next town? Why do insects like some flowers and not others? By using the scientific method, astronomers can make observations and collect data in order to try to find answers to their questions about the universe.

Essential Question

• How do astronomers use the scientific method to learn about all parts of the universe?