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Center for Nonlinear Studies |
One of the first uses of statistics was in the application of basic descriptive statistics to the understanding of astronomical data. Statistical regression too had its beginning with an application to predicted astronomical location. However, during the last century a schism of sorts existed between the disciplines of astronomy and statistics. This rift has recently been bridged due to newly developed statistical procedures and software applications which were not feasible to implement prior to the mid 1990s. Moreover, astrostatistical groups and the new International Astrostatistics Network have brought together statisticians and astronomers from various sub-disciplines with the aim of fostering collaboration. These efforts are proving to be successful, and are leading to the development of new statistical methodologies for better understanding the mass of data being generated from the new data-generating technologies. We examine the history of astrostatistics, the types of statistical tools being created, and how recent developments can lead to a new profession of astrostatistics. We also discuss how recent advancements in statistics can impact the different specialties within astronomy.
Host: Garrett Kenyon, gkenyon@lanl.gov, 7-1900, IS & T