How can I become an astronomer?

Question

I was a math major in college and have been working in the financial field for a few years since. What steps are necessary to become an astronomer? Back to school for a doctorate? Where in the U.S. is the best place to live for a career as an astronomer?

Answer 1

You'll need a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, or physics, but to get into grad school, you'll need a background in physics. If you haven't taken at least intro physics and one semester each of classical, electricity & magnetism, math physics, and quantum mechanics, you're not really ready to apply to grad schools. You'll want to make up these courses - get another BA/BS in physics. Then go to grad school.

Astronomers work at universities, national labs, or for the gov't. But even large cities may not have many jobs availible, so astronomers tend to move to where they get a job, not try to get one close to home. It's not likely to happen.

Answer 2

Yes, back to school for a PhD as a first step. It used to be that it was better for astronomers to live near big telescopes, which would mean California, Arizona, and Hawaii. Nowadays with datalinks that's no longer so important.

Here's a list of the best grad schools for astronomy and astrophysics, according to criteria you select:

http://www.phds.org/rankings/astronomy/

Answer 3

Take Astronomy courses and get a degree. The best place I reckon to work would be at NASA.

Answer 4

To be an academic or govenment astronomer, you will need a PhD *and* several post-doctoral fellowships to be competitive.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9D0CE5DB1538F937A35752C1A967958260

done.

Answer 5

Get a telescope and make a daily habit of looking at space

Answer 6

Alabama SIR!

Answer 7

study hard and reach for the stars!

Answer 8

Yes then you have to go for more collage though.