Big and Small

TL;DR

The paper discusses the evolution of astronomy from 'Little Science' to 'Big Science', highlighting how technological advancements and large-scale facilities have driven major discoveries, especially in radio astronomy, and compares scientific cultures across fields.

Contribution

It demonstrates the transition of astronomy to 'Big Science' through analysis of Nobel-winning discoveries and radio astronomy, extending Price's concepts to this field.

Findings

Astronomy has evolved from 'Little Science' to 'Big Science' with technological growth.

Radio astronomy discoveries exemplify the 'Big Science' trend.

Differences exist between 'Big Science' cultures in Physics and Astronomy.

Abstract

Technology leads discovery in astronomy, as in all other areas of science, so growth in technology leads to the continual stream of new discoveries which makes our field so fascinating. Derek de Solla Price had analysed the discovery process in science in the 1960s and he introduced the terms 'Little Science' and 'Big Science' as part of his discussion of the role of exponential growth in science. I will show how the development of astronomical facilities has followed this same trend from 'Little Science' to 'Big Science' as a field matures. We can see this in the discoveries resulting in Nobel Prizes in astronomy. A more detailed analysis of discoveries in radio astronomy shows the same effect. I include a digression to look at how science progresses, comparing the roles of prediction, serendipity, measurement and explanation. Finally I comment on the differences between the 'Big Science' culture in Physics and in Astronomy.