Are you intrigued by the planets, stars, and galaxies that make up our universe? Want a career that can lead to amazing discoveries in space? Astronomy is one of the oldest natural sciences. Astronomers are scientists who study the natural world. They research, come up with theories, and explore interesting topics. But to become an astronomer, you need the right education and training.
In this article, we discuss how to become an astronomer. We talk about the kind of astronomy schooling you need to work in the field. We also discuss the best astronomy degrees and other astronomer education requirements. Read on to find out more about this unique career field and how to get started.
What is an Astronomer?
Astronomers are scientists. They observe and study the universe. They also study space and the human relationship to the cosmos. An astronomer observes stars, moons, planets, and galaxies. To do their work, they use specialized equipment. This includes telescopes and other instruments. Just as the galaxy is diverse, so is the field of astronomy. An astronomer career path can include many different fields. These include:- Galactic astronomy. In galactic astronomy, astronomers spend time investigating galaxies like the Milky Way.
- Planetary astronomy. In this field, astronomers discover and study new and known planets.
- Solar astronomy. Astronomers in this field study the sun’s systems, storms, and magnetic fields.
- Stellar astronomy. Stellar astronomers study the stars and other celestial bodies that relate to stars. These include black holes, white dwarfs, and more.
Astronomer Education
How do you become an astronomer? The first step is to earn a degree. Once you have an undergraduate degree, you’ll need to earn a graduate degree. From there, it’s up to you. But most astronomers, especially those in academia and research, have PhDs. Read on for more information on what degree do you need to be an astronomer.Bachelor’s Degree
The first step toward becoming an astronomer is to earn a bachelor’s degree. You should get a degree in a science such as:- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Physics
Astronomy Education Needed
The path to become an astronomer starts with a bachelor’s degree program. You take courses that lay a foundation for your astronomical research. Your courses cover broad topics in math and physics. They also include computer science studies. Some of the courses you can take that will prepare you as an astronomy graduate include:- Advanced physics
- Calculus
- Electricity and magnetism
- Fundamentals of programming
- Introductory physics
- Planetary astronomy
- Scientific theories in astronomy
Master’s Degree
Most astronomer jobs call for at least a master’s degree. Master’s degree holders can find entry-level work in astronomical research, government, or the computer science industry. It takes about two years to complete a graduate degree in astronomy. Courses build on undergraduate studies and cover topics like:- Cosmology and celestial bodies
- Fundamentals of astrophysics
- Galaxies
- General relativity
- Programming and algorithms for astronomers
- Scientific theories
- Stellar interiors and exteriors
- The interstellar medium
Doctoral Degree
The astronomer education needed for high-level jobs is a doctoral degree. A PhD in astronomy, physics, or a related subject area will help you land research positions or become a professional astronomer. To become a competitive job candidate in the field, students earn a doctorate. In a PhD astronomy program, you take extensive math courses. You study calculus and linear algebra. You also take statistics and study computer systems. Your courses and independent research prepare you for academic positions and research positions. You can also qualify for jobs with the International Space Agency and in the computer science industry. A doctorate degree opens doors to all areas of astronomy and helps you become an expert in the field. For the best jobs in astronomy, you need more than an undergraduate degree or a master’s degree. According to the American Astronomical Society, the astronomy graduate with the best job prospects holds a doctorate degree or has a postdoctoral research position.How to Be an Astronomer – What It Takes
Now that you know how to become a astronomer, you need to know what it takes to be successful on the job. Becoming an astronomer takes more than schooling and degrees. You need certain skills and abilities. Here are skills that can improve your career path and help you become an astronomer.- Ability to focus: Astronomers focus over long stretches of time. They focus on numbers and datasets. The nature of their job demands they not get distracted.
- Analytical skills: Astronomers must be able to analyze and interpret data and research findings. These skills are important when evaluating their own work and the work of other scientists. Too many errors can invalidate their research.
- Critical thinking skills: Astronomers must draw conclusions based on findings. They research, interpret, and analyze. To do these tasks, you need strong critical thinking skills.
- Effective communication skills: Astronomers present their findings, data, and research to the public. They write technical reports, draft proposals for research funding, and submit writing for publication. To do these tasks takes good communication skills.
- Interpersonal skills: Like other scientists, you work both independently on research projects and with teams. They share their findings with colleagues. They also deliver complicated findings to audiences outside astronomy. To convey information, they need good interpersonal skills.
- Mathematical skills: Astronomers must be good at math. Their work includes calculations in different math areas. Astronomers use algebra and calculus on the job. They also use geometry and other areas of mathematics.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Astronomer?
It takes time to become an astronomer. Jobs in academia and research require more than a four-year bachelor’s degree. Most jobs want a master’s degree or doctoral degree. If you plan on working in academia or landing research positions in a space agency or college, plan on spending at least 6-8 years in college. Earning a master’s degree and doctorate degree will improve your jobs prospects as an astronomer.
Astronomer Licenses and Certifications
After the astronomy degree, some students consider more training. They earn licensing or a certification. If you plan to work for the federal government, you will need special security clearance for certain jobs. There are many different certifications or licenses you can get as an astronomer. While you don’t need a license to work as an astronomer, you do need specialized training. Your schooling will cover what you need to work as a professional astronomer. But some government jobs want more training and a PhD.How Much Money Does an Astronomer Make?
Now that you know how to be a astronomer, you should familiarize yourself with how much money you can earn on the job. In this section, we discuss an astronomer’s earnings potential and how much money you can expect to make. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median wage for astronomers is $128,160/year. BLS reports that the lowest 10% of earners in this occupation made less than $61,910/year. But the highest 10% of earners saw more than $208,000/year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that certain factors impact earnings for astronomers. The first is industry type. Some industries pay higher wages than others. When you consider becoming an astronomer, it’s important to know which industries offer the highest wages. You make the most working in government, education, and research.- Government (federal level): $153,730/year
- Research and development in the engineering, life, and physical sciences: $128,400/year
- Local, private, and state colleges, professional schools, and universities: $82,710/year
- California: $175,820/year
- Hawaii: $158,480/year
- Colorado: $139,400/year
- Maryland: $129,900/year
- Arizona: $115,680/year
- San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara (California): $145,820/year
- Boulder (Colorado): $139,090/year
- Washington, Arlington, Alexandria (D.C., Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia): $136,250/year
- Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land (Texas): $132,810/year
- Baltimore, Columbia, Towson (Maryland): $113,980/year
Job Outlook for Astronomers
Now that you know what astronomy schooling you need to land a job, it’s important to know the job outlook. What will your job prospects be after college? How hard is it to find jobs at a space agency or in government agencies? Astronomy is a limited field. The BLS reports about 2,100 new jobs for astronomers and physicists. But there is a job growth of 8%, which is about the same as the average for other scientists jobs. The BLS reports 2,100 new jobs for physicists and astronomers each year, on average, for the next 10 years. Job openings should result from the need to replace workers who retire and exit the labor force. But federal funding can impact projected employment growth. Budget constraints can curb federal spending and limit research projects.
Work Environment for Astronomers
According to the BLS, astronomers and physicists held 2,100 jobs last year. The largest employer of astronomers is:- Colleges
- Professional schools
- Universities
- Engineering
- Life sciences
- Physical sciences
Where Astronomers Work
Astronomers go to work in offices, but they also visit and conduct research in observatories. Observatories are areas that house large, ground-based telescopes used to gather data and observe natural phenomena. While most astronomers have offices, some work in labs or observatories full time. Some astronomers only work during certain seasons. Other astronomers have jobs in national or international facilities. These facilities have unique equipment used to gather data, such as gamma-ray telescopes and particle accelerators. Travel can also be part of the job. Astronomers travel to conferences and meetings to present data and research. Other astronomers present their findings to the astronomy community. The work schedule of an astronomer varies. Most astronomers are full-time. Those in federal government work 40 hours/week. Others work longer hours. Since most observations are at night, astronomers work evenings and nights. In academia, astronomy professors work regular hours. But their schedule depends on their teaching and research load. Professors teach astronomy courses during the day, but labs take place at night. Because of this, some professors work both during the day and at night. Most college astronomy professors work fall and spring semesters. Others teach a class during the summer term. Work hours for an astronomy professor consists of classroom time and office hours. Those in research institutions spend a lot of their time conducting independent research. BDP Staff May 2023 Related Resources:- 5 High Paying STEM Careers
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