Query: "[Models] are full of fudge factors that are fitted to the existing climate, so the models more or less agree with the observed data.

Relevant passages:
Models of scientific inquiry <=SEP=> In the philosophy of science , models of scientific inquiry have two functions : first , to provide a descriptive account of how scientific inquiry is carried out in practice , and second , to provide an explanatory account of why scientific inquiry succeeds as well as it appears to do in arriving at genuine knowledge .  The search for scientific knowledge extends far back into antiquity . At some point in the past , at least by the time of Aristotle , philosophers recognized that a fundamental distinction should be drawn between two kinds of scientific knowledge -- roughly , knowledge that and knowledge why . It is one thing to know that each planet periodically reverses the direction of its motion with respect to the background of fixed stars ; it is quite a different matter to know why . Knowledge of the former type is descriptive ; knowledge of the latter type is explanatory . It is explanatory knowledge that provides scientific understanding of the world . ( Salmon , 1990 )  `` Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work .

Astronomy <=SEP=> Astronomy ( from Greek : αστρονομία ) is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena . It applies mathematics , physics , and chemistry , in an effort to explain the origin of those objects and phenomena and their evolution . Objects of interest include planets , moons , stars , galaxies , and comets ; while the phenomena include supernova explosions , gamma ray bursts , and cosmic microwave background radiation . More generally , all astronomical phenomena that originate outside Earth 's atmosphere are within the purview of astronomy . A related but distinct subject , physical cosmology , is concerned with the study of the Universe as a whole .   Astronomy is the oldest of the natural sciences . The early civilizations in recorded history , such as the Babylonians , Greeks , Indians , Egyptians , Nubians , Iranians , Chinese , and Maya performed methodical observations of the night sky . Historically , astronomy has included disciplines as diverse as astrometry , celestial navigation , observational astronomy and the making of calendars , but professional astronomy is now often considered to be synonymous with astrophysics .   During the 20th century , the field of professional astronomy split into observational and theoretical branches . Observational astronomy is focused on acquiring data from observations of astronomical objects , which is then analyzed using basic principles of physics . Theoretical astronomy is oriented toward the development of computer or analytical models to describe astronomical objects and phenomena . The two fields complement each other , with theoretical astronomy seeking to explain the observational results and observations being used to confirm theoretical results .   Astronomy is one of the few sciences where amateurs can still play an active role , especially in the discovery and observation of transient phenomena . Amateur astronomers have made and contributed to many important astronomical discoveries , such as finding new comets .

Scientific modelling <=SEP=> Scientific modelling is a scientific activity , the aim of which is to make a particular part or feature of the world easier to understand , define , quantify , visualize , or simulate by referencing it to existing and usually commonly accepted knowledge . It requires selecting and identifying relevant aspects of a situation in the real world and then using different types of models for different aims , such as conceptual models to better understand , operational models to operationalize , mathematical models to quantify , and graphical models to visualize the subject . Modelling is an essential and inseparable part of many scientific disciplines , each of which have their own ideas about specific types of modelling .   There is also an increasing attention to scientific modelling in fields such as science education , philosophy of science , systems theory , and knowledge visualization . There is growing collection of methods , techniques and meta-theory about all kinds of specialized scientific modelling .

Mathematical model <=SEP=> A mathematical model is a description of a system using mathematical concepts and language . The process of developing a mathematical model is termed mathematical modeling . Mathematical models are used in the natural sciences ( such as physics , biology , Earth science , meteorology ) and engineering disciplines ( such as computer science , artificial intelligence ) , as well as in the social sciences ( such as economics , psychology , sociology , political science ) . Physicists , engineers , statisticians , operations research analysts , and economists use mathematical models most extensively . A model may help to explain a system and to study the effects of different components , and to make predictions about behaviour .