3 answers
Aryona
Student
Highland Park, Michigan
1
Question
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What can I do to become an astronomer?
I want to become a future astronomer and I need to know how exactly to get the position I want. #astronomer
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3 answers
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
219
Answers
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
The most common starting point for a career in astronomy is a degree in physics. To get there, you'll need to pay particular attention to your mathematics, physics, and computing classes. Any physics degree can be a route into astronomy, but some universities and colleges have more specialized programs offering courses focusing more strongly on astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology; these will give you a stronger chance. Research where you might be interested in going, and have a look what their entry requirements are.
You'll learn a lot during a physics degree, which will help direct your choices afterwards. Personally, I started off in astrophysics, but during my degree, found I was actually better suited to nuclear physics, and changed direction.
Following on from your degree, there's postgraduate study to look at. There are some astronomy-related jobs available if you've just finished a degree, but most serious astronomy is academic research work, for which you'll need to go on to get a PhD and postdoctoral research positions.
Work on getting good grades at school, particularly in the STEM subjects
Research colleges and universities for programs you're interested in: eg: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/rankings/most-popular/
You'll learn a lot during a physics degree, which will help direct your choices afterwards. Personally, I started off in astrophysics, but during my degree, found I was actually better suited to nuclear physics, and changed direction.
Following on from your degree, there's postgraduate study to look at. There are some astronomy-related jobs available if you've just finished a degree, but most serious astronomy is academic research work, for which you'll need to go on to get a PhD and postdoctoral research positions.
Joseph recommends the following next steps:
Sumitra Biswal
Cybersecurity specialist
21
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sumitra’s Answer
Hello Aryona! It's really great to know that you wish to be an astronomer. May be you will find a more comprehensive answer starting from course to pursue:-
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/astronomer/how-to-become/
Hope this helps!😊
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/astronomer/how-to-become/
Hope this helps!😊
Will Xue, CFA
Manager at PwC
102
Answers
Updated
Will’s Answer
Hi Aryona ,
It's amazing that you are dreaming so big! As a rule of thumb, the chance of success is higher, no matter what you desire, to get into the best organization/league. E.g., if you wanna play professional basketball, you try to get into NBA. Same thing, if you'd like to become an astronomer, you might want to work, or at least start, with NASA.
Therefore, I went to NASA's website and found this:
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/F_Astronomy_as_a_Profession.html
Good luck :)
It's amazing that you are dreaming so big! As a rule of thumb, the chance of success is higher, no matter what you desire, to get into the best organization/league. E.g., if you wanna play professional basketball, you try to get into NBA. Same thing, if you'd like to become an astronomer, you might want to work, or at least start, with NASA.
Therefore, I went to NASA's website and found this:
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/F_Astronomy_as_a_Profession.html
Good luck :)