Common problems in astrophysics

• Characterising a source
• Spectral lines, pulsation frequencies
• Orbital parameters
• Learn physical parameters
• Comparing physical effects
• Include a mechanism or not. 0, 1 or 2 planets?
• Is the distribution a log-normal, a powerlaw or a broken powerlaw?

Define a generative data model – likelihood + parameter space definition

Find parameter ranges

Distinguish models with Z

Robustness:

Test sensitivity to different priors

Cross-validation – leave some data out