Data Mining and Machine Learning in Astronomy

Understand

We review the current state of data mining and machine learning in astronomy.

• 'Data Mining' can have a somewhat mixed connotation from the point of view of a researcher in this field.
• If used correctly, it can be a powerful approach, holding the potential to fully exploit the exponentially increasing amount of available data, promising great scientific advance.
• However, if misused, it can be little more than the black-box application of complex computing algorithms that may give little physical insight, and provide questionable results.