Astronomy careers?

Question

What sort of careers can someone have if they are interested in astronomy? Apart from astronaught? How much is the salary?

Answer 1

i am an astronomer at the university of new orleans. i am a graduate student. so contrary to what youve been told, you do not need a phd. however, astronomers dont make much money unless you recieve substantial grants from different sources. Or if you have made big discoveries which will ensure that you get the grant money. for me the reward isnt the money, its getting to see things few people will ever get the chance to see. good luck, and when you go to college, make sure to take some astronomy classes!!!!!!

Answer 2

Astronomy is a very difficult field to have a career in. You would have to get a PhD if you wanted to do any real research, and even then it is difficult to find jobs. Most of the work involves analyzing data on computers. Pay depends on where you are employed and what you do.

Also, astronauts are different from astronomers. Astronauts are usually from the military, although they can be anyone from scientists to space tourists.

Edit: to bones: ah but, you are going for your PhD, yes? Aside from teaching, I believe a PhD is generally required to enter professional astronomy careers.

I majored in astronomy and decided I didn't want to go to graduate school, and, while I learned a lot of cool stuff, it hasn't proved to be that useful in finding a job. Of course, I am also lazy and could probably get some kind of job at say, the Pacific Science Center if I tried.

Answer 3

You can do anything from research in astrophysics to running a planetarium. A reasearch job would put you in a university environment and the pay is very good.