Professional Stargazing?

Question

Whaaat? So I like to look at the sky and such, and so I goggeled "professional stargazer" as something to do, humorously, and apparently there are such things as that. But, uh, how would one make money? Just wondering.
And don't try and be witty or cute. >:B

Answer 1

pie

Answer 2

You could work for an observatory. They hire people to run the major telescopes. But they usually want a masters in physics or astronomy for that, and that's about 6 years of college.

You could open an astronomy-themed bed-and-breakfast. Those are popular in places like Arizona and New Mexico where they have a lot of clear skies. A decent-sized house and a decent-sized telescope and you're ready to go.

Or there's always professional astronomy, but that's a PhD - 10 years + of college.

Answer 3

Astronomers are one of poorest paid of the entire scientific guild. Star gazing is a labour of love. One won't get rich pursuing this career, however, good money can be made by professors of Astronomy, or by celebrity scientists, like the late great Carl Sagan. Then there is the unscrupulous astro-nut who runs off with the research grant money. They can live pretty opulent lives, but they would forever have their telescopes looking not at the heavens, but instead, over their shoulders!!

Answer 4

I think it's mainly just a colloquial reference to professional astronomers. Like most scientists, they spend their time analyzing data and writing research proposals, and if they want to do some stargazing, they haul their dob out to the back yard, just like the rest of us.

But, if you do find anyone hiring people for actual stargazing, let me know.

Answer 5

the only way to make money by looking at the stars is by scientifically recording them for an organization such as nasa, with a patron paying you to do the job.
but if you mean just staring at the stars, i guess if someone bets you to do it you could make money.

Answer 6

Not easy ...
1) Go to school to be an astronomy educator
2) Go to school and work at an observatory
3) Learn to take astrophotographs and sell them (but there are a lot of great FREE photos available)

You won't get paid for "just looking" on your own ...

Answer 7

I don't know but I do know that my old community college campus had a stargazer group. www.nhmccd.edu and it was at Kingwood College, but the colleges just changed their name to Lone Star College (eh?) so the nhmmcd link still works. Have fun researching!

Answer 8

If you start going to college when you're 18 they won't let you do that until you're 36, and they'll still pay you a measly $36,000 a year for it.

Answer 9

I am witty and/or cute.