Study the movement of stars, planets, moons and cometsThis work requires a firm grounding in physics and mathYou need to have an interest in data collection and researchMost working astronomers have a PhD
The planet Mars will be closer to Earth than it has been for thousands
of years during the week of Aug. 23 to 30, 2003. Astronomers around the world
are planning special events to celebrate this event.
Astronomy has long fascinated people. Humans have never ceased
wondering about the night sky. Many just look, wonder and go back to their
regular work. Astronomers make the study of the universe their life's career.
Astronomers study the movement of stars, planets, moons and comets. They
study distant galaxies and the birth and death of stars many light-years away.
They are always discovering something new about the universe.
Astronomers are curious about the world around them. They enjoy exploring
and learning new things. They also enjoy thinking about such monumental questions
as: How did the universe evolve? Could there be other life forms in the universe?
Astronomy is a science that requires a firm grounding in physics and math.
An astronomer must also be imaginative, logical and intuitive.
Astronomers actually spend very little time gazing at the stars. Most of
their time is spent analyzing data. "I spend about five or six days at a telescope
every six to eight months. The rest of my time is spent studying the data
I collect," says astronomer Anne Cowley.
Sometimes astronomers don't even use a telescope to observe the universe.
They study data generated on super computers. To be a good astronomer, you
need to have an interest in data collection and research.
Astronomers are scientists. They must follow the scientific method of creating
and testing their theories. They must check and double-check every theory
they create and calculation that they make. They have to have an eye for detail.
"Researchers who can do it well are very successful," says Matthew Ashby,
an astronomer in Massachusetts.
Astronomers generally work 9 to 5, but they do spend extra hours at the
telescope when it is required.
The physical requirements for being an astronomer aren't too taxing. An
astronomer's work is done in front of a computer. A physically challenged
person could do most of the work required.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) groups astronomers and physicists
together. There were 18,000 astronomers and physicists in 1998 -- that number
isn't expected to grow much between now and 2008.
In 1999, there were about 6,265 North American astronomers who were members
of the American Astronomical Society.
The median annual salary for physicists and astronomers was $73,240 in
1998, reports the OOH. Earnings ranged from $41,830 through $113,800.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook warns that future graduates may face
competition. Government funding cutbacks may make the job market more competitive,
or cause opportunities to decline.
"I found the job availability very restricted," says Ashby. "With budget
cuts it's getting harder for grads to find jobs." Ashby believes that in the
next five years it will be difficult for astronomers to find jobs because
of funding cuts to astronomy programs.
RegionAverage Annual EarningsAverage Hourly EarningsU.S. National$99,730$47.95RegionOutlook2008 Workforce2008 to 2018 Growth RateU.S. NationalStable1,47016.03%
High school students thinking about becoming astronomers should take math
and science courses. Also, join school science groups or a local amateur astronomy
club.
A good grounding in computer science is also helpful.
Astronomers need to be able to read with understanding and write clearly.
It's suggested that astronomy majors take some courses in the humanities and
social sciences.
Most positions in astronomy require a PhD.
Some positions at private companies or at museums and planetariums only
require an undergraduate astronomy or science degree. People with an undergraduate
degree can also work in support roles at laboratories and observatories.
Here are just two examples of schools offering related programs:
West Chester University
Department of Geology and Astronomy
207 Boucher Hall
West Chester
,
PA
19383
USA
Internet
:
http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/sch_cas.esc/
University of Colorado
Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
Campus Box 391
Boulder
,
CO
80309-0391
USA
Internet
:
http://astronomy.colorado.edu/
Associations
American Astronomical Society
400-2000 Florida Ave. NW
Washington
,
DC
20009-1231
USA
Internet
:
http://www.aas.org/
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
390 Ashton Ave.
San Francisco
,
CA
94112
USA
Internet
:
http://www.astrosociety.org/
Links
Occupational Employment Statistics
The OES has labor market data on over 700 careers
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