On the epistemic value of atmospheric retrieval models in exoplanetary science

Retrieval models are widespread in scientific research. This paper delves into the epistemic value of atmospheric retrieval models, which play a major scientific role in exoplanetary science. Despite being heuristic tools that offer no definitive outcomes and that are vulnerable to the problem of incompatible models, they are epistemically salient. Firstly, their hybrid nature confers them a stronger epistemic authority compared to purely theory-based or data-based models. Secondly, they can incorporate meta-empirical confirmation techniques, which can establish the viability of the models’ outcomes.