{Theory and Verification}[18th June 1988]

[Redbook5:173-178][19880618:2242d]{Theory and Verification}[18^th June 1988]

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The construction, by one means or another, of a theory of relations to fit the observed facts is a perfectly conventional activity, in science as in other fields. And while it may not always be possible to choose the time and place of an experiment to test it – in Astronomy, for example – such an 'experiment' should eventually become possible by waiting for testing conditions to occur.

It may be possible to predict events not previously or otherwise predicted, which will fit the theory. Alternatively, if such a prediction is not possible, it will be necessary to wait for events to occur unexpectedly which will give rise to facts which will fit the theory – as in the case of the recently perceived supernova. * One way or another, if the theory includes observable events or facts within its pattern, it must be testable, although never completely provable.**

*(?)

[Presumably SN1987A: 'SN 1987A was a type II supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy satellite of the Milky Way. It occurred approximately 51.4 kiloparsecs (168,000 ly) from Earth and was the closest observed supernova since SN 1604, which occurred in the Milky Way itself, and close enough to be easily visible to the naked eye [in 1604] . Its light reached Earth on February 23, 1987, and as the first supernova discovered that year, was labelled "1987A". Its brightness peaked in May, with an apparent magnitude of about 3. It was the first opportunity for modern astronomers to study the development of a supernova in great detail, and its observations have provided much insight into core-collapse supernovae. SN 1987A provided the first chance to confirm by direct observation the radioactive source of the energy for visible light emissions, by detecting predicted gamma-ray line radiation from two of its abundant radioactive nuclei. This proved the radioactive nature of the long-duration post-explosion glow of supernovae.' (Wikipedia)]

**Because there must always be the possibility of another, better explanation. <880619>

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