一个新射电源引发的争论: 再看脉冲星的发现

An Argument for A New Radio Source:Re-examine the Discovery of Pulsars

脉冲星被称为射电天文学四大发现之一.当时人们并没有脉冲星的概念,当一个完全崭新且陌生的射电源观测信号出现在科学家的眼前时,那么他们是如何应对的呢?作者重新考察其发现情景,探究一个新的科学事实在理论解释结果不确定的情况下,新科学是如何伴随着干扰噪声、人工信号、小绿人、脉冲星、中子星的争论而向前发展的.这不单是对观测事实如何正确合理解释的科学理论之争,更是关于如何认识、理解新事实现象的思想观念转变,既促进了脉冲星新科学的产生,又推进了地外生命探索领域新问题的研究.这种科学共同体之间的交流,体现了实事求是、积极探索的科学精神和研究共同体面对新问题时协助合作的科学文化氛围.这都是推动科学进步的重要因素.

Pulsar is known as one of the four most important discoveries in the history of radio astrono-my.At that time,people did not have the concept of pulsars.How did they react and respond to a complete-ly new and strange observation signal when it appeared in front of scientists?Re-examine its discovery sce-narios and explore how this new science was developed along with the debates over interference noise,man-made signals,small green men,pulsars and neutron stars under the uncertain theory interpretation for the new scientific facts.This is not only a scientific theory dispute on how to correctly and reasonably explain the observation facts,but also a change of ideas on how to understand the new fact phenomenon.It not only leads to the emergence of new science of pulsar,but also promotes the research of new problems in the field of extraterrestrial life exploration.This kind of communication between scientific communities reflects the scientific spirit of seeking truth from facts and active exploration,as well as the scientific and cultural atmos-phere in which research communities assist and cooperate in the face of new problems.Both are important factors to promote the great progress of science.