How do astronomers work
How do astronomers work
What is astronomy? Definition & History
By Jamie Carter published 29 October 21
Astronomy is the study of the sun, moon, stars, planets and other objects and phenomena in space. It has a long, rich history.
Here’s everything you need to know about what astronomy is, what it’s not, and how recent developments within the field of astronomy are making it more exciting than ever before.
Definition of astronomy
What does astronomy mean? A dictionary will tell you that it’s the branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.
Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe that’s beyond our own planet’s atmosphere. The planets in our own solar system, our own star the sun, and the bright stars can all be seen with the naked eye. However, astronomy can go much deeper, taking advantage of telescopes and other scientific instruments to study other stars and their planets in our galaxy, as well as distant galaxies beyond our own. It can gather clues about the nature of the physical, chemical and biological universe itself.
What astronomers do (and don’t do)
People very often confuse astronomy with astrology. Every professional astronomer has had to hear someone say to them, «so you’re an astrologer, right?» Astrology and astronomy are not the same thing, but they used to be. Observational astronomy can be traced back to Ancient Egypt (opens in new tab) and Mesopotamia (opens in new tab) as far back as 3,000 B.C., but the calculating of solar eclipses, the movements of the planets and theories about how the night sky works was the job of ancient astrologers who presumed that celestial events and alignments had a direct impact on human affairs.
Modern astrologers attempt to do something similar, making predictions about human lives based on pseudoscience. Astrology (opens in new tab) is not a science.
How many types of astronomy are there?
In the past century or so, astronomy has been broadly split into two camps — observational astronomy (using telescopes and cameras to collect data about the night sky) and theoretical astronomy (using that data to analyze, model and theorize about how objects and phenomena work).
They complement each other, yet within these two broad categories modern astronomy includes many subsets, from astrometry to exoplanetology, that intrinsically overlap yet help explain the many things astronomers do. Here’s what they all mean:
What are optical, infrared and radio astronomy?
All astronomy is the study of different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, which comprises radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma rays. To get the full picture of what’s out there astronomers need to study various wavelengths of light.
The problem with astronomy
However they observe the universe, astronomers only ever get a snapshot of the planets, stars and galaxies they study. So although there are dozens of different branches of astronomy, in practice many of them must overlap for an astronomer to get as full a picture as possible of objects that exist for millions to billions of years.
We’re on the cusp of some tremendously exciting new technology that looks set to revolutionize astronomy. The most obvious is the James Webb Space Telescope, which from 2022 will probe the cosmos to uncover the history of the universe.
Astronomers are about to see deeper into space to observe regions and objects never seen before.
What does an astronomer do?
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What is an Astronomer?
Do planets, stars, galaxies, and solar systems fascinate you? Would you love to understand how and why the universe works the way it does?
The study of astronomy is the oldest of the natural sciences. It is the only science in which you can study and observe physics at work throughout the whole universe, and yet not physically be able to touch what is being studied. Interestingly, it was the invention of the telescope that enabled astronomy to develop into a modern science.
An astronomer will spend his or her time analyzing data, writing research papers, or creating computer programs that allow a more effective search for the data collected.
In this article:
What does an Astronomer do?
An astronomer is a scientist who focuses primarily on the study of space, which includes the stars, the planets and the galaxies above us. The evolution of stars is also studied so as to understand how the sun and our solar system of planets were created and what will happen to them as they age.
The bulk of an astronomer’s job is heavily based on research, as the focus is on understanding how the universe works, and on trying to discover things about the universe that would be considered scientific breakthroughs.
The main tools used by astronomers are:
Only the very closest planets (all within our Solar System) can be reached by spacecraft. Therefore, telescopes or earth-orbiting satellites are relied upon to indirectly give us information about all other celestial objects by observing light emitted or reflected from them.
Telescopes gather light from distant objects and let us see them «up close.» It is through the collection and detailed analysis of this light that astronomers are able to unlock some of the many mysteries of the Universe. If fact, the main purpose of using a telescope is to collect this light so the astronomer can analyze and interpret this data.
An example of a telescope astronomers use is The Hubble Space Telescope. It can see out to a distance of several billions of light-years (a light-year is the distance that light travels in one year, about 5,865,696,000,000 miles). The farthest that the Hubble Space Telescope has seen so far is about 10-15 billion light-years away. Several of the Hubble Deep Field galaxies that astronomers are able to see are as they were billions of years ago, because this is how long it took for the light to reach us.
There are different fields of astronomy, and most astronomers will choose to focus on only one. Some examples of these fields are solar astronomy, planetary astronomy, stellar astronomy, galactic astronomy, extragalactic astronomy, and cosmology.
Each field then branches into an observational or theoretical type of study. The observational branch uses the basic principles of physics and is focused on acquiring and analyzing data. The theoretical branch, on the other hand, describes astronomical objects and phenomena through the development of computer or analytical models. The two branches go hand-in-hand, with theoretical astronomy focusing on explaining the observational results, and observational astronomy being used to confirm theoretical results.
Astronomy can also be divided according to its links with other branches of science, as it can apply physics, biology and geology to explain the origin and evolution of space, stars and celestial bodies. Those four sub-fields are: astrophysics, astrometry, astrogeology, and astrobiology.
Are you suited to be an astronomer?
Astronomers have distinct personalities. They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Some of them are also artistic, meaning they’re creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive.
Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if astronomer is one of your top career matches.
What is the workplace of an Astronomer like?
Workplaces for astronomers can vary. Typical classroom settings are common for those who teach. Oftentimes, astronomers are invited to give individual talks at other institutions. Most universities (with astronomy departments) hold weekly meetings where they bring in scientists from other universities to talk about their research.
Observatories are also typical workplaces and provide astronomers with labs. The ultimate goal for any astronomer, however, is almost certainly a career at NASA. NASA is a United States government agency that is responsible for science and technology related to air and space.
Working in an office usually involves doing administrative work or working on research. Research could mean a wide variety of things, such as calibrating and analyzing data, to running numerical models, or testing theories. Much time is spent in front of a computer, therefore familiarity with computers and programming is a necessity in this career.
Traveling involves going to several conferences every year, which are held all across the world. For example, the AAS (American Astronomical Society) and IAU (International Astronomical Union) meetings are held at different venues every year. There are fewer than 20,000 astronomers in the world, therefore these conferences provide excellent opportunities to interact with other astronomers and to see what research they are working on.
Observational astronomers often have to travel to various observatories to carry out their research, as these observatories are located all over the world, from Puerto Rico, to Hawaii, Europe, Australia, Chile, or even the South Pole.
Astronomers spend a lot of their time reading publications like the Astrophysical Journal for example, either learning new subjects, or just keeping up with major developments and current research in the field of astronomy. Often, the first part of the day is spent checking out the new astronomy papers that have been uploaded on the arXiv, an open-access archive of new journal articles.
Astronomers also spend a lot of time writing papers and proposals, as writing and publishing papers is necessary in order to display and share research and results. Writing grant proposals is also necessary in order to get funding from various sources for research. Writing observing proposals needs to be done in order to get permission to use different telescopes and facilities to further research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the sub-fields of Astronomy?
Astronomy is the study of everything beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. It applies physics, biology and geology to explain the origin and evolution of space, stars and celestial bodies. Individuals thinking of going into this field of study may wish to focus specifically on one sub-field.
The four sub-fields of Astronomy are: Astrophysics; Astrometry; Astrogeology; and Astrobiology. The following gives a brief description of each sub-field and its focus.
Astrophysics
Astrophysics, as a scientific discipline, was born in mid-nineteenth century Europe. Observational astrophysics focuses on recording data by using telescopes and other astronomical equipment to observe celestial objects. Theoretical astrophysics focuses on creating theoretical models and figuring out the observational implications and consequences of those models.
Similar to geophysics, which is the study of Earth’s physics, astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that applies the laws of physics to explain the birth, life, and death of objects in the universe (such as planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae). Interacting with objects in space is done by studying the amount of radiation they emit. These emissions given off by planets, stars etc., are examined by looking at certain properties, such as temperature, density, luminosity, and chemical composition.
Much of astrophysics is focused on developing theories that will help us understand how radiation is produced. Astrophysicists apply many disciplines of physics to do this, including nuclear and particle physics, atomic and molecular physics, electromagnetism, relativity, thermodynamics, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics.
Astrophysics is very tightly knit with both astronomy and cosmology. The differences between the three are: astrophysics creates physical theories of small to medium-size structures in the universe; astronomy calculates motions, positions, and luminosities; and cosmology creates physical theories of the largest structures in the universe and studies the expansion and evolution of the universe as a whole.
Astrometry
Astrometry is the branch of astronomy that focuses on the precise measurement of where stars and other celestial bodies are positioned and move in space. It is the oldest scientific method used to map and detect the positions and movements of extrasolar planets (an extrasolar planet is any planetary body that is outside the solar system and that usually orbits a star other than the Sun). Astrometric measurements can provide invaluable information on the movements and origin of the Solar System and the Milky Way, a frame of reference for the movement of stars and individual objects in space, and can also help to determine the distribution of dark matter in the galaxy.
Another aspect of astrometry is error correction, as there are a few factors that can introduce errors into the measurement of a star’s position. These factors include: errors made by the observer, imperfections in the measuring instruments, and atmospheric conditions. Instrument improvements and making compensations to the data can reduce these errors. The results can then be studied and analyzed by using statistical processes to calculate data estimates and error ranges.
Astrogeology
Astrogeology can be viewed as the parent science of the Earth sciences. It is very much like the Earth sciences, but for other bodies in our solar system. Astrogeology (also known as planetary geology or exogeology), focuses on the geology (rocks, terrain, and material) of the planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, and meteorites. Astrogeology looks at understanding what the internal structure is of the terrestrial planets (terrestrial planets are planets that are mainly composed of rocks or metals, such as Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and looks at volcanoes, lava flows, impact craters, rift valleys, and wind activity on these planets. The structure of the giant planets and their moons as well as the make-up of the minor bodies of the Solar System are also studied.
Research in this field is ongoing, and every discovery helps scientists to better understand the Earth’s evolution in comparison with that of its neighbours in the solar system. Every planet in our solar system has unique geological features which scientists have uncovered over the years through telescope observations or through data returned by space probes.
Astrobiology
Astrobiology (formerly known as exobiology), is the branch of astronomy that focuses on the search for life outside Earth. It is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe, and considers the question of whether extraterrestrial life exists, and if it does, how humans can detect it. NASA’s current astrobiology program addresses three fundamental questions: How does life begin and evolve? Is there life beyond Earth and, if so, how can we detect it? What is the future of life on Earth and in the universe?
While astrobiology is very much an emerging and developing field, the question of whether extraterrestrial life exists elsewhere in the universe is a justified theory and therefore a valid scientific inquiry. Planetary scientist David Grinspoon calls astrobiology «a field of natural philosophy, grounding speculation on the unknown, in known scientific theory». The field of astrobiology has made an enormous effort to underline the importance of education, both to train the next generation of scientists, and to also keep the public aware of any breakthroughs.
This field was once considered outside the mainstream of scientific inquiry, but has now become a formalized field of study. Twenty years ago, no universities had dedicated degree programs in astrobiology and very few even offered a course in this field. Today, every major university in the country has at least one course in astrobiology and many have degree programs.
Missions are just starting to take astrobiology to new levels of understanding. Astrobiology will endure long into the future given the endless fascination with questions about the origins and prevalence of life.
How long does it take to become an Astronomer?
Most astronomers have a Doctoral Degree in Astronomy or Physics, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s in one of these same physical sciences. It takes about ten years of education beyond normal high school education to become an astronomer.
After completing a Ph.D. program, aspiring astronomers often enter one or more postdoctoral research positions, which typical take between two and three years to complete.
Should I become an Astronomer?
If you want to be an astronomer, you need to be someone with a burning curiosity about the world. You have to be quite a methodical person. You need to be able to look at large amounts of information and pick out useful patterns. You need to be imaginative to spot those patterns in the first place and be both meticulous and creative to put bits of information together in a way that makes sense. You need a capacity for reflection and contemplative study.
And you need to have great patience to spend long hours in the endeavor to reveal something new about the universe. Only then will you be successful working in a science in which you cannot weigh, touch, or smell your subject matter.
In addition to these personality traits and the technical skill set particular to the astronomy field, there are a number of generic talents that astronomers commonly possess and astronomy students need to cultivate:
Computer skills
All astronomers need to use computers for more than e-mail and internet access. Their work often entails numerical simulations of the growth of the universe, handling extremely large sets of data, or the design of next-generation instruments. It is also important to note that astronomers generally do not use Windows-based systems; they commonly rely on UNIX-like systems. Experience and skill gained in this area as an undergraduate can smooth the beginning stages of postgraduate study.
Scientific writing skills
All scientists are required to write papers and reports. Scientific writing skill is much more difficult to master than many envision. It is best acquired through practice. Therefore, reading and writing scientific reports as an undergraduate will provide crucial experience that can be applied during postgraduate study and beyond.
Public speaking skills
Astronomers must be able to orally present their findings to their peers. While some individuals have a flair for public speaking, others need to learn the skill through repeated practice and experience. The presentation of research projects during one’s undergraduate years offers several opportunities for prospective astronomers to hone their public speaking abilities.
Such presentations are invaluable to eventually becoming an accomplished scientific speaker. Additional experience can be gained by speaking at local astronomy clubs or taking advantage of outreach opportunities offered by some universities.
Are Astronomers happy?
Astronomers rank among the happiest careers. Overall they rank in the 90th percentile of careers for satisfaction scores. Please note that this number is derived from the data we have collected from our Sokanu members only.
Perhaps the greatest challenge for astronomers is having to continually ask for money to conduct research. To secure funds to visit observatories, pay students to help reduce large amounts of data, and publish papers, astronomers have to frequently write proposals.
These are requests, sometimes quite lengthy, explaining the scientific details of their project, the objectives they aim to achieve, and the estimated costs involved. This process is competitive – only the best proposals receive funding – and it takes away from astronomers’ time to actually conduct the science.
What are Astronomers like?
Based on our pool of users, astronomers tend to be predominately investigative people. They are motivated by the ability – and the opportunity – to discover new things, to identify new patterns and configurations, and to understand things that nobody else has understood before. It should be noted, however, that contrary to popular belief, astronomers spend very little time looking through a telescope. According to some estimates, using such equipment occupies less than two percent of the average astronomer’s time.
Astronomers are also known as:
Astronomy Professor
Where do astronomers work?
The dream for most people who are interested in astronomy when they consider getting into the field is to spend every night looking at the stars in an open field with a high-tech telescope categorizing constellations, finding new comets, and learning the cool, mythological names that stars have. But the truth is the day-to-day reality for astronomers looks very different.
Astronomers spend most of their time in front of computers, analyzing data and figuring out how to solve complex problems using math and their brains. While that is also cool, it is important to understand how does the day of an astronomer looks like and where they do their work so you can decide if it’s something that you would find interesting. The part that is true about the vision, thankfully, is that you will sometimes get to play with really high-tech equipment and you will get access to the latest and most powerful computer networks and telescopes.
So, where do astronomers work?
Astronomers work in academia, schools, government agencies like NASA or the European Space Agency, and private companies like SpaceX or Blue Origin.
After asking around and digging up some stats we have come up with the following graph that shows the approximate distribution. After that, let’s take a look at each of the places individually. Click the image to zoom in.
Government Agencies (NASA, ESA, JAXA, JPL)
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the first place most people think of when they think “where do astronomers work?”. However, while NASA does offer a lot of astronomy job positions, it is not the place with the greatest percentage of employed astronomers.
Astronomers at NASA can work on many different projects. Some take the observations and data gathered using satellites and analyze them to try to discover new stars and planets or to study how and why they behave in a certain way.
Other astronomers at NASA collaborate with engineers and other scientists in the design and testing of new equipment that will help us get a better of the universe.
National Observatories
Working at an observatory is the closest thing to looking through a telescope that an astronomer will do at work. Observatories are places with gigantic telescopes that are used to look at very distant parts of the universe. Building an observatory costs millions of dollars, so astronomers from around the world have to share them and submit proposals detailing what they want to use it for just so they can get to use it for a few nights.
The location of an observatory is very important because only in some regions you can get to look at certain areas of the universe. Good weather conditions, clear skies, and low light pollution are also relevant. Because of this, most observatories are located in very specific geographical regions where all of these conditions are met, like deserts.
Other Government agencies
NASA is not the only government agency that employs astronomers and astrophysicists. Some other agencies like the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and the U.S. Naval Observatory also employ astronomers.
In these agencies, astronomers focus mostly on scientific research and the development of new equipment. They have made multiple discoveries. The Naval Research Laboratory, for example, lists under their accomplishments the first identification of stellar x-rays and many discoveries in radio astronomy and cosmic ray physics.
According to the American Astronomical Society, about one-third of all professional astronomers work for federal agencies or federally funded observatories.
Aerospace companies
In recent years, private companies have started to enter the aerospace industry. Companies like SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, or Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson are trying to bring mankind to space for colonization, research, or tourism purposes.
These companies employ astronomers, astrophysicists, and other scientists to help them solve problems with instrumentation, observation, and data study. Work at a private company is more focused on practical applications and less focused on research.
Other aerospace companies include:
It is estimated that about 10% of astronomers work for private space companies.
Planetariums and science museums
The job of astronomers working at planetariums or museums is to communicate and inform the general public to try to get them interested in astronomy and space, as well as explain why it is important for everyone. They are sometimes also responsible for selecting and helping develop the material that is shown in the various exhibitions. Because of this, on top of their education, they also require good communication skills.
A famous astrophysicist working at a planetarium is Neil Degrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City whom you might have seen on TV talking about science or narrating the Cosmos series on National Geographic. He has taken his role as a communicator to the next level and has helped many people get interested and curious about space.
Universities and Colleges
More than half of astronomers and astrophysicists in the U.S. work in universities as professors. Even when most of their time is spent teaching, they are a major source for astronomy research as they have more freedom to choose the subjects they want to research than in other places.
There are two types of astronomers working in universities. Observational astronomers and theoretical astronomers.
Observational astronomers will spend a few days or weeks working at an observatory every year watching the parts of the universe they want to study. The rest of the year, they analyze the data they have collected. Theoretical astronomers, on the other hand, might not even use telescopes and they will do most of their work using only computers and whiteboards.
It is also common for astronomers to teach other courses like math and physics.
Communication jobs
A common job for astronomers is to serve as a communicator for many different types of media.
Astronomers can constantly work as writers for science and general interest magazines and news sites, they can also do book writing, podcasting, and Youtube channels. Just as astronomers working at planetariums, their objective is to communicate, solve people’s questions, and show them the beauty of space.
Jobs in other fields
Because of their background and education, astronomers and astrophysicists can also take jobs in other fields that require similar analytical skills like the following:
Elena is a Canadian journalist and researcher. She has been looking at the sky for years and hopes to introduce more people to the wonderful hobby that is astronomy.
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About Little Astronomy
Hi! I’m Elena. I’m a journalist who has been into astronomy since I was a kid. I founded this site to share tips and facts about astronomy and telescopes.
If you are new around here and you want to get started with the hobby, check out our astronomy for beginners guide or the recommended gear page.
How to become an astronomer
CareerExplorer’s step-by-step guide on how to become an astronomer.
In this article:
Is becoming an astronomer right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming an astronomer is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become an astronomer or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
High School
Take standard and advanced high school courses in physics, mathematics, and chemistry. This first step is the foundation for the study of astronomy.
Bachelor’s Degree
Earn a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Science, with a focus on astronomy or physics. Some universities offer a degree specialization in astrophysics, which is a mix of astronomy and physics.
Master’s Degree
Earn a master’s degree in the physics/astronomy field. This two-year step in the process to becoming an astronomer is focused on specialized courses, research opportunities, and the writing of a master’s thesis that explores a specific topic or idea in astronomy.
Doctorate Degree & Ph.D. Dissertation
Complete a Ph.D. in a specific area of astronomy, such as radio, solar, cosmos, or galactic astronomy. Before committing to a particular sub-discipline, take time to determine which area is of greatest interest to you. The Ph.D. portion of your studies will include internships and fellowships that will provide invaluable experience in the field.
To earn your Ph.D. you will need to write a dissertation proposal. The dissertation, which can range from eighty to a hundred pages in length, is an in-depth study of a particular topic in astronomy. Some examples of dissertation topics are exploration of star formations, examination of mass planets, and analysis of radio pulsars. Following the writing of your dissertation, you will need to pass qualifying exams to graduate with a Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellowship
A postdoctoral fellowship will make you a competitive job candidate. Once you earn your Ph.D. you can qualify for university research positions. These positions allow you to gain experience in the profession and focus on your area of expertise. Such fellowships may sometimes lead to fulltime positions, often in academia as a professor of astronomy.
Career Options
In addition to the option of entering academia as an astronomy professor and researcher, there are other routes to applying your expertise:
Apply for positons at an observatory
Observatories offer the opportunity to interact with the public in the role of resident astronomer. The job generally also entails curating astronomy exhibits and writing books or papers on specific areas in the field.
Apply for positions in the aerospace or computer science industry
These positions offer the option to work in an area other than academia. They may be ideal for individuals who prefer to work directly with other astronomers and scientists.
Apply for positions at a space agency
Working for a space agency will allow you to collaborate with other astronomers and scientists on the study of the universe. The largest space agency in the United States is NASA.
Professional Associations
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) is the foremost professional association for astronomers in North America. The society holds annual meetings, publishes scholarly journals, maintains a job board, and advocates for the astronomical sciences.
The International Astronomical Union facilitates international cooperation to promote and advance the profession. The organization arranges nine international symposia each year. It also defines astronomical nomenclature, and serves as the authority for naming celestial bodies and their features. The society offers networking opportunities through divisions covering areas of specialization, commissions, and working groups.
Astronomer
Education and Training: Doctoral degree
Salary: Median—$97,320 per year
Employment Outlook: Fair
Definition and Nature of the Work
Astronomers are sometimes called astrophysicists. They use the laws of physics and mathematics to learn about the nature of matter and energy throughout the universe, which includes the sun, moon, planets, stars, and galaxies. In addition, astronomers apply their knowledge to solve problems in navigation, space flight, and satellite communications. They also develop the instruments and techniques needed to observe and collect astronomical data.
Many astronomers work in colleges and universities where they do research and teach astronomy. Some work in observatories, planetariums, and museums where they help to explain what is known about the universe to the public. Others are employed by government agencies, such as the U.S. Naval Observatory or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). A few work for companies in the aerospace industry.
Some astronomers primarily gather and analyze large quantities of data from observatories and satellites. They usually only spend a few weeks each year making observations with telescopes. For many years, satellites and other kinds of space-based instruments have greatly expanded the range of observation for astronomers. Most recently, new computer and telescope technologies are leading to a resurgence in ground-based observation techniques.
Astronomers must first decide which objects to observe and the methods and equipment to use. They may go to an observatory at a scheduled time and make and record their observations, or they may have assistants gather the data. Astronomers then analyze these observations, put them into numerical form, and if possible, explain them using existing hypotheses or theories.
Other astronomers spend most of their time working on new hypotheses, theories, or mathematical models. They often use computers to help them do the many calculations required to develop complex hypotheses about space. Such hypotheses may help explain some of the observations made by other astronomers.
Astronomers often specialize in one area, such as the sun, the solar system, or in the development of instruments and techniques. Their recent findings have included quasars, pulsars, black holes, and other mysterious phenomena in the far reaches of space.
The discoveries and theories of astronomers have been put to work in many useful ways. For example, they have improved weather forecasting, the measurement of time, and air and sea navigation. Astronomical study has been instrumental in the development of atomic theory and the exploration of space.
Education and Training Requirements
There are a few openings as assistants or technicians in astronomy for those who have a bachelor’s degree in physics or astronomy. There are more opportunities for those who have a master’s degree in astronomy or a related field, such as physics or mathematics. To be an astronomer, a doctoral degree in astronomy or a closely related field, such as astrophysics, is usually required. It takes about four years to get a bachelor’s degree and about another four years of full-time study to earn a doctoral degree. Astronomers also spend time studying throughout their careers to keep up with new discoveries in their field.
Getting the Job
The astronomy department of your university will be able to give you advice and information about getting a job. You should apply directly to colleges and universities, national research centers, museums and planetariums, and other places that traditionally employ astronomers. Many of these jobs are advertised in professional journals. You should also consider applying for a job in places that have not traditionally employed astronomers. For example, a two-year college or high school may hire you, especially if you show enthusiasm for teaching and are prepared to teach other subjects in addition to astronomy. For some of these teaching jobs you may have to be certified by the state in which you teach. You may also be able to find other nontraditional jobs in industry, publishing, or scientific research. To find these kinds of jobs, you may first have to do a lot of searching on your own to determine the needs of employers.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Astronomers with a doctoral degree can advance by moving into high-level positions in research and teaching. Many astronomers consider recognition as an expert in their special field to be the best form of advancement. They usually get this recognition only after spending years on research problems and having the results of their work published in scientific journals. Astronomers with only bachelor’s degrees will find only limited opportunity for advancement in astronomy. A doctoral degree or a move into a related field, such as engineering or high school teaching, provides the best opportunities for advancement.
Employment of astronomers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2014. Although government funding of astronomy research is expected to increase from 2004 to 2014, funding will still be limited. This limited funding will result in competition for basic research jobs. Most job openings will result from workers who retire.
Working Conditions
Many astronomers work in well-equipped offices, laboratories, classrooms, and observatories with fellow scientists and students who share the same interests and goals. Others work with the general public to whom they try to convey their own interest in and enthusiasm for astronomy. Astronomers sometimes need to travel to remote observation sites and must often work at night. Most astronomers find their work exciting and personally rewarding because of the challenges it offers them. They usually devote long hours to their research and to the study needed to keep up with new developments in their field. They need to be patient and careful workers who can work for months or even years on the details of a research problem. They must also be able to communicate their findings to others.
Where to Go for More Information
American Astronautical Society
6532 Rolling Mill Place, Ste. 102
Springfield, VA 22152-2354
(703) 866-0020
http://www.astronautical.org
Universities Space Research Association
10211 Wincopin Circle, Ste. 500
Columbia, MD 21044-3432
(410) 730-2656
http://www.usra.edu