What kind of education do you need to become an astronomer?

Question

Does astronomy require alot of knowledge in math? If so, what kind of (or which branch) math?

Answer 1

Lots of maths...

Mechanics, physics, astronomy. Some chemistry too.

It depends on whether you want to be an astrophysicist or an observational astronomer.

Answer 2

It is difficult to make a career in astronomy. The field of astronomy requires the most intelligent and gifted people. You must have an advanced degree from a well known university. Even with that, you will probably end up teaching astronomy as a professor at a college.

However, many people have astronomy as a hobby. Amateur astronomers have contributed greatly to astronomy.

Answer 3

First, get an undergraduate degree in physics
covering the first year introductory course followed by mechanics, electromagnetism, modern physics, optics,quantum mechanics, thermal physics, electronics and the associated lab courses. Take also at least introductory chemistry and possibly Earth science. The the minimum math courses needed are single and multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations and statistics though courses in complex analysis, partial differential equations and special functions would be very helpful and would be required if one was theoretical rather than observationally oriented.

Other than taking a calculus based introductory astronomy course, it is not that important to take undergraduate astronomy courses because it is in graduate school that one will take specialist astronomy courses covering at a minimum radiative transfer, stellar atmospheres, stellar interiors and evolution, galactic and extragalactic astronomy and probably at least one observational techniques course. These grad courses will take you about two years to complete. Then you will probably be tested on the their content in what is called the qualifying exam which one is usually given two shots to pass.

Pass them and then you will be working on your doctoral thesis full-time and that will take at least two years to complete. Completing the thesis and
having it passed by several astronomers other than your supervisor gives you the doctoral degree and you can now call yourself a professional astronomer. All of the above is what I had to do.

The above is typical if you are from North America.
If you are from the UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, then there wil be fewer grad courses to take because at least some of it would be introduced in the fourth year in what is called the honors year since it is not required because the undergraduate degree takes three years to complete, There will also probably be no qualifying exam to take thus permitting one to get a doctoral degree in about 3 to 5 years instead of the 4 to 7 years which is typical for those from North American universities. Sorry, I am not familar with the situation in other countries, but probably they will be a variant of one the above.

Even if you do well in all of the above, only about 50 to 60% of all those who get a doctoral degree stay in the field for more than 10 years. Some of my former classmates went into finance, software development and business where their ability to think through complicated problems without much guidance made them very succesful.

Answer 4

All branches of math, mainly calculus...

You must study all sciences, classic mechanics, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, etc. You have to be extremely intelligent and people have to value your intelligence. It is very very hard to make a career in astronomy, you must be at the top of your game. You have to think like no one ever has before, "outside the box"

Answer 5

Any scientific discipline requires a thorough understanding of maths. To get a job in the field you would also need at least a degree in astrophysics or a related discipline.

Answer 6

Astronomers make between 35k and 50k precise out of their PhD software, and 60k - 120k mid occupation on time-honored. there's a brilliant unfold; working for a school oftentimes will pay decrease than working for NASA, yet working for a school is oftentimes extra needed. you would be wanting a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, or physics, and that's 8-12 years of faculty finished. Astronomers artwork for colleges and universities, national labs and observatories, and NASA. We use telescopes and satellites to take documents, use desktops to kind structures and learn documents, write papers with regard to the failings we detect, frequently write supplies you to make funds to help our artwork, and attend conferences to communicate approximately our artwork. you elect a brilliant math and physics history, good pc skills (Linux/Unix, programming languages), good analyzing and writing skills, and to be good at giving reflects and protecting your artwork.

Answer 7

i dont know that whether it requires a lot of maths or not but you should know the basics of each and everything thing. i wish you become a good astronomer , if you choose this line

Answer 8

Yes, you need lots of math. Trigonometry and calculus.

Answer 9

u ve gotta study maths and then astrophysics