Usage in Other Scientific Disciplines
The term observer also has special meaning in other areas of science, such as quantum mechanics, and information theory. See for example, Schrödinger's cat and Maxwell's demon.
In general relativity the term "observer" refers more commonly to a person (or a machine) making passive local measurements, a usage much closer to the ordinary English meaning of the word. In quantum mechanics, "observation" is synonymous with quantum measurement and "observer" with a measurement apparatus and observable with what can be measured. This conflict of usages within physics is sometimes a source of confusion.
Read more about this topic: Observer (special Relativity)
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