🚀 go-pugleaf

I retract my definition of the word "research."  It was incorrect.

Here is what I meant to say:  Astronomers do not usually use the word
"research" to describe their investigative activities.  They refer to it
as "observing."

While close study can be called research, it is important to realize that
there is a distinction between observational and experimental sciences.
The unfortunate fact is that the word "research" is only used (in astronomy)
by the purveyors of inexpensive telescopes.  The implication that the
subject instrument is of high quality is not necessarily true.  In fact,
the use of the word in advertizing demonstrates that the merchant is not
really familiar with the requirements and practices of astronomers.

Is such a merchant an appropriate source of high-quality instruments?

Leonard Abbey, F.R.A.S.
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
labbey@gitvm1.gatech.edu