The first, and perhaps most vital, step of the scientific process is observation. When it comes to science, observation refers to a systematic examination that requires both critical thinking and skepticism. True scientists stop their beliefs from impacting their ability to observe impartially. Being open-minded to all possibilities enhances an experiment and is essential for practicing good science.
Let us consider the mathematician, philosopher, and astronomer Eratosthenes. In the third century B.C., Erathosthenes was named the chief director of the library of Alexandria, which at one point held the greatest number of papyrus scrolls in the world. It was from reading these scrolls that he learned of another thinker’s observation that at noon on the summer solstice the temple towers in the city of Syene cast no shadows. This observation fascinated Eratosthenes, because he knew that the temple towers in Alexandria were never shadowless.
After considerable contemplation, Eratosthenes determined that the only way this observation was fathomable was if the world was curved. In order to convince others of his “round-world” hypothesis, he needed to support it with empirical evidence. On the next summer solstice, Eratosthenes measured the length of shadows cast by the temple towers, while an assistant simultaneously observed the towers in Syene and saw no shadows. This data gave him all the evidence he needed.
Eratosthenes proved his hypothesis by using little more than conscientious examination and his drive to determine the truth. We owe a great deal to our ancestors for their careful research and recordings. For the good of future generations, we must continue to make thorough observations of the world around us.
