Trying to find the circumstances until the desired cause-and-effect emerges...
Yes. That's what the scientific method accomplishes. One must come up with a hypothesis that fits the observations in order to explain anything. But unlike conspiracy theories, a scientific hypothesis must be plausible on its face and must be falsifiable. Then it must be tested directly.
As I said, I believe that electrostatic attraction is the most likely explanation. That is a tentative conclusion. I may have erroneously conveyed a stronger impression.
Have you done any experiment to prove an electrostatic force is a) feasible b) strong enough to cause any movement?
No. And I have said as much, either here or in one of the other places where this is being discussed. I pointed out that the question was still very much open because it is not within our power currently to falsify the electrostatic attraction hypothesis. I don't happen to own a vacuum chamber, which would be necessary to eliminate atmospheric interference.
Perhaps explain the physics?
Electrostic attraction in general is straightforward. It is a noted planning issue for lunar surface operations, so the hypothesis is plausible on its face.
Also, isn't electrostatic force (almost) instantaneous? Why then is there a short delay between when the astronaut leaves the frame and flag moving?
There is arguably a precursor movement of the flag. After movement is initiated, the system will continue to oscillate in collective resonance until it damps out. The system is the flagpole assembly consisting of several components including the flag fabric and the rigid, elastic parts. The combined oscillation will be difficult to predict and is not assumed to be regularly periodic or monotonically decreasing in all possible observations.
Further, the electrostatic attraction (if it exists) will change direction as the astronaut moves, with the system continuously reacting during the meantime. Not all resulting motion may be simply predicted.
It might be possible to falsify the hypothesis via computational structural dynamics simulation, but it would not be as conclusive as an empirical demonstration.
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