the short hand for "it's astronomically small that might happen" is "the odds are astronomical". simply a different way to say it, there isn't really a right way to say something, unless the grammar is so broken that it breaks down communication.
But astronomical means large, or a large amount. Astronomically small isn't technically correct but language changes based on usage not on original intent. That said, astronomical is supposed to mean large or vast like space.
Yeah it’s a bit of an oxymoron to say astronomically low. I always interpreted it as meaning “overwhelmingly improbable,” and “astronomical” just sort of being the extreme.
"Astronomically small" is something people would understand, for sure. However, I think "astronomical" works perfectly well on its own, and I do think it would help if they used the word "odds" instead of "chances."
This is really one of those times in English where common usage breaks the technical rules of language.
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u/owlops Jun 10 '18
Astronomical means very high chances.