Why does the validation loop for observational astronomy differ from a typical terrestrial lab setting?

The observational validation loop is inherently slower and less direct due to the nature of distant, irreproducible phenomena.

In controlled laboratory settings, verification is rapid: an experiment is run, results are noted, and if necessary, the exact same experiment can be repeated immediately to confirm the findings. In astronomy, the required 'experiment'—such as the life cycle of a specific star or a specific galactic event—has already occurred or is occurring under conditions that cannot be reset or replicated on demand. Therefore, confirming interpretations or hypotheses about a distant quasar requires waiting for new observational data, which takes time, making the observational validation cycle significantly slower and less direct than in environments where variables can be precisely managed.