Astronomer Job Description: Overview, Education & Training Requirements, Job Outlook and Salary
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: An astronomer is an expert in mathematics and physics, who uses his/her knowledge in these fields to study various aspects of the universe, including the moon, galaxies and star astronomy. They work in laboratories and observatories when working on research papers or theories and handle highly technical equipments, such as micrometers, spectrometers, telescopes, photometers, radiometers and high-end cameras in determining color, size, wavelengths, orbits, brightness or movement details of objects in space.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: To become an astronomer, one should obtain a bachelor’s degree in astronomy or physics, followed by a master’s or doctorate degree in astrophysics, astronomy or a similar field. He/she must also have an aptitude and special interest in mathematics, physics, and logic. Be prepared to study throughout your career since this field requires continuing education to keep up-to-date with new technologies and discoveries.
Skills & Abilities: To become successful in this field, one should possess effective written and verbal communication skills, reasoning abilities, good command over different languages needed in handling presentations and writing reports, strong research skills and proficiency in specialized computer programs.
Duties:
An astronomer’s job involves conducting research on various universe components, such as planets, moon, sun, stars, galaxies and others. The outcome of this research is used not only for expanding knowledge, but also for solving theories and problems, improving systems of existing devices, developing new techniques for weather forecasting, air navigation or sea navigation and other practical reasons. His/her work includes in-depth research, writing of scientific reports and presentation of new discoveries.
Other tasks include analyzing significance of research data, determining brightness, shapes, sizes, orbits, motions and other details of celestial bodies, collaborating with fellow astronomers for group research, developing theories based on observations, measuring gamma, infrared, x-ray or radio emissions from extraterrestrial sites/sources, presenting research reports at conferences or publishing them on science journals; studying celestial phenomena, developing and modifying computer programs used in presenting astronomy-related findings, directing operations of a planetarium, developing software or instrumentation for astronomical observation; teaching astrophysics or astronomy and raising funds for scientific research, among others.
Earnings & Job Outlook: An astronomer can hold positions in museums, planetariums, government and private corporations. The employment outlook in this field is good, but competition is strong since there are limited positions in both private and public industries. Salary ranges from a low of $45,330 per year to a high of $156,720 annually (as of 2009).
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
Latest Articles about: Careers
1: College Mathematics Professors: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook2: Mathematics Teacher: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
3: Medical Assistant: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
4: Mathematicians: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
5: Medical Ethicist: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Word Count: 434 Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 Time: 2:35 AM
Previous - Athletic Trainer Job Description: Overview, Education & Training Requirements, Job Outlook and Salary | Next - Assessor Job Description: Duties, Education, Training and Certification Requirements, Job Outlook and Salary