Anomaly (natural sciences)

Anomaly is a word that scientists use to describe anything that seems strange or different from what is usually found in nature. Scientists observe, measure and compare things that are here on Earth and all around us in the Universe. Sometimes when they observe and measure things, it does not fit what should be expected. That's when something is considered an anomaly. Anomaly can refer to anything from rocks or plants on Earth that look out of place to planets and stars that don't behave like the other ones in their group.