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SUMMARY:Building a model from scratch: Gravity\, the earth’s figure\, an
 d the problems of measurement in geoscience\, 1680-1924 - Miguel Ohnesorge
 \, University of Cambridge
DTSTART:20220314T180000Z
DTEND:20220314T190000Z
UID:TALK170360@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Eloise Matthews
DESCRIPTION:"Understanding the inferential structure and justification of 
 scientific measurements is a crucial problem for scientists and philosophe
 rs of science alike. However\, the standard work on the philosophy measure
 ment is almost exclusively based on case studies from experimental physics
  or behavioural science. My work aims to enrich our understanding of measu
 rement by focussing on some of the central problems in the history of phys
 ical geoscience\, where measured system are significantly more complex and
  it is virtually impossible to shield measurements from confounding pertur
 bations. In this talk\, I present some of my results based on a study of g
 eodetic measures of the earth’s figure and external gravity field. I giv
 e an overview of how these measurements developed\, starting with the work
  of Isaac Newton and ending with the first global reference ellipsoid and 
 gravity field models that were accepted in the 1920. I hope to illustrate 
 two basic points. First\, constructing even the most basic models and meas
 urements in physical geoscience involved substantial mathematical\, empiri
 cal\, and philosophical problems that are easily overlooked from today’s
  perspective. Second\, understanding the methods by which scientists overc
 ame these problems holds valuable lessons for both our understanding of me
 asurement and current geoscientific practice."
LOCATION:Tilley Lecture Theatre\, Department of Earth Sciences\, Downing S
 ite
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