What exactly is an anomaly?

An anomaly is a deviation from the expected, standard, or normal. It represents something unusual, unexpected, or inconsistent with established patterns or data in a given context.

In what fields are anomalies commonly studied?

Anomalies are crucial in fields like astronomy, medicine, data science, statistics, finance, engineering, and climate science, where identifying outliers can lead to significant discoveries or problem detection.

Why is it important to detect anomalies?

Detecting anomalies is vital for identifying errors, fraud, system malfunctions, security breaches, or groundbreaking scientific phenomena. It helps in making informed decisions and preventing adverse outcomes.

How are anomalies typically identified or detected?

Anomalies are often identified using statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, visual inspection of data, and comparing observed phenomena against predictive models or historical baselines.