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[2602.10181] Why do we do astrophysics?

arxiv.org · 13,130 words · saved by 4 readers

Abstract:At time of writing, large language models (LLMs) are beginning to obtain the ability to design, execute, write up, and referee scientific projects on the data-science side of astrophysics. What implications does this have for our profession? In this white paper, I list - and argue for - a set of facts or "points of agreement" about what astrophysics is, or should be; these include considerations of novelty, people-centrism, trust, and (the lack of) clinical value. I then list and discuss every possible benefit that astrophysics can be seen as bringing to us, and to science, and to universities, and to the world; these include considerations of love, weaponry, and personal (and personnel) development. I conclude with a discussion of two possible (extreme and bad) policy recommendations related to the use of LLMs in astrophysics, dubbed "let-them-cook" and "ban-and-punish." I argue strongly against both of these; it is not going to be easy to develop or adopt good moderate policies.

# link_1rbud620mfi.pdf ## Metadata - PDFFormatVersion=1.7 - IsLinearized=false - IsAcroFormPresent=false - IsXFAPresent=false - IsCollectionPresent=false - IsSignaturesPresent=false - Author=David W. Hogg - Creator=arXiv GenPDF (tex2pdf:57610bf) - Custom.DOI=https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2602.10181 - Custom.License=http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/ - Custom.PTEX.Fullbanner=This is pdfTeX, Version 3.141592653-2.6-1.40.28 (TeX Live 2025) kpathsea version 6.4.1 - Custom.arXivID=https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.10181v1 - Producer=pikepdf 8.15.1 - Title=Why do we do astrophysics? - Tra

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