Plan C
Astronomer
What they do
Develop scientific theories and models to explain the properties of the natural world, such as the force of gravity or the formation of subatomic particles Plan and conduct scientific experiments and studies to test theories and discover properties of matter and energy Write proposals and apply for research funding Do mathematical calculations to analyze physical and astronomical data, such as for new material properties or the existence of planets in distant solar systems Design new scientific equipment, such as telescopes and lasers Develop computer software to analyze and model data Write scientific papers for publication Present research findings at conferences and lectures
Work Environment
Most modern astronomers primarily work indoors at offices or laboratories, spending the majority of their time on computers analyzing telescope data, running simulations, and writing code.
How to Become One
Becoming an astronomer requires a strong foundation in math and physics, typically culminating in a Ph.D.
Pay
Nationwide, astronomers earn a median salary of about $127,900 annually. However, pay varies drastically depending on the sector, with government and aerospace roles offering the highest salaries, while academic postdocs or entry-level positions generally fall on the lower end of the pay scale.
Job Outlook
The astronomy job outlook is highly competitive but highly rewarding. Employment is projected to grow about 2 to 4 percent.
Similar Occupations
Astronomers study celestial phenomena using physics and mathematics. Closest similar occupations include physicists, aerospace engineers, geoscientists, data scientists, and planetarium directors.
Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another. -