Astronomers.... what do they do?

Question

I want to study astronomy (stars, galaxies,comets... ) when i grow up. Does this mean that I'll be a physicist, astrophysicist or an astronomer. But I thought that astronomers actually go outside into space, not study them. I'll probably want to work for NASA, but what would I be doing in NASA? It's kinda complicated for me. Thanks for answering.

Thanks for everyone that help. I wanted to be alawyer but i thought that was too hard. I'm really good at math. sometimes i just think it through and wonder how i did it. so i guess that i'll be an astronomer. astronomy really interests me.

Answer 1

An astronomer or astrophysicist is a person whose area of interest is astronomy or astrophysics. Professional astronomers are highly trained individuals who typically have a PhD in physics or astronomy and are employed by research institutions or universities. They spend the majority of their time working on research, although they quite often have other duties such as teaching, building instruments, or aiding in the operation of an observatory. Astronomers are generally funded by research grants from national governments (e.g., the National Science Foundation and NASA in the US) and their home institutions, for those who work at universities. Astronomers who serve as faculty spend much of their time teaching undergraduate and graduate classes.

Answer 2

I'm an astronomer, and what I should be doing now is writing a computer program to do some calculations for the design of an electronic assembly for an instrument that will, in a few year's time, be used on a telescope. Instead, I'm avoiding work (it's Sunday afternoon, after all) by answering questions on Y!A.

Not many astronomers get to go into space, although there have been some astronaut/astronomers.

The main thing when you're young is to pay attention in your math classes, and do really well in math. Math is the background for all the studies you will need to do.

Answer 3

Hi. Actually all of the above. Amateur astronomers can and DO do real science. That might be a good starting place. Look around for a club near you.