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Tag: astronomer

  • STEM Career Profile: Astronomer

    STEM Career Profile: Astronomer

    The darkness of the night sky illuminates the countless stars, planets, and more that populate our universe. But have you wondered how we know all this? How can we measure their size, distance, movement, and history when we are so small and so far away? Part of the answer is the field of astronomy. Astronomers use the science and math that you study in class and point it skywards. They use equations, laws of physics, and more to figure out the universe.

    Becoming an astronomer is far from an overnight task. Earning a Ph.D. in astronomy can take five to seven years to complete. On top of that, graduates spend another two to three years researching under the guidance of more experienced astronomers. Those wanting to enter this field should work on their research skills and ability to analyze data. They should work hard at math and science in school, and also be able to work in a team.

    Astronomers do not typically work alone. They are usually working within a team composed of scientists in an office environment. They also use observatories to gaze up at the skies via telescopes. Most are hired to work at colleges and universities, where they conduct research in the field. Those are not the only places you will find astronomers, however. The federal government hires astronomers, too, and departments of private research and development may also rely on astronomers.

    In Canada, base salaries for astronomers range from $50,000 to $108,000, with the median salary at $90,000. With bonuses, profit sharing, and commission, total salaries can be up to $131,000.

    The field is filled with excitement and opportunity. The advent of new technologies and discoveries makes this a very exciting time to pursue the subject. Astronomers work hard to develop theories related to our universe and write proposals for research. It can be a thrilling challenge to find ways to test these ideas. This can be followed by extensive analysis and writing scientific papers that are read and reviewed by other experts. This ensures that ideas are accurate and can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. These newfound concepts and understandings of our universe have a profound impact on our lives.

    From planets to black holes, from in-depth mathematical formulas to childlike stargazing, astronomy is filled with wonder and awe. By putting greater effort into your math and science studies now, you can lay the foundation for your future career. The field pushes humanity’s knowledge beyond its supposed limits and helps us realize how vast existence really is. As an astronomer, you can be a part of that grand journey.

    Sources:

    Lindzon, Jared. I want to be an astronomy. What will my salary be? www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/i-want-to-be-an-astronomer-what-will-my-salary-be/article24512769/

    National Careers Service. Astronomer. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/astronomer.aspx

    PayScale.com Astronomer. https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Astronomer/Salary

    Study.com. Astronomer: Job Info & Career Requirements. http://study.com/articles/Astronomer_Job_Information_and_Requirements_for_Students_Considering_a_Career_in_Astronomy.html

  • Career Profile: Astronomer

    Career Profile: Astronomer

    Astronomy offers exciting career paths in Canada.  Astronomers are scientists and researchers who study celestial objects such as the sun and moon, the other planets in our solar system, exoplanets in other parts of space, distant stars and ancient galaxies.

    Astronomers analyze data from telescope and sensor observations, and sometimes design and build equipment for astronomy such as telescopes and satellites.  Most astronomers in Canada work in universities, where they teach and pursue research projects; others will work with the National Research Council, where they perform research with or work to maintain international telescopes and observatories in which Canada is a partner or member.

    As part of their research, astronomers will have to make presentations about their work at conferences, and write grant proposals to apply for funding for their research projects.  Many astronomers also participate in community outreach to share their knowledge of space and science to kids, teens and adults.  This means that astronomers need to have strong communication skills, writing skills and interpersonal skills.

    The work schedule for an astronomer can vary, from regular hours working at a university as a professor, to working long hours or overnights while travelling or working on site at an observatory.  Salaries for astronomers in Canada range between $40,000 to $70,000 for post-doctoral researchers, and these amounts are largely dependent on grant funding on a project-per-project basis.  Professors at a university can start with a salary around $80,000 and can reach $120,000 to $150,000 for the most experienced and senior professors.

    Pursuing a career in astronomy in Canada usually requires a PhD in astronomy, with at least three to six years of work as a post-doctoral research student.  This is on top of completing a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in astronomy, physics, planetary sciences or other related fields of study, which usually takes four years and one to two years, respectively.  While some internships are available for students throughout their years of study, most astronomers will gain the bulk of their skills and experience through contributing to research projects during their graduate and post-graduate degrees.

    If you want to become an astronomer, it’s important to start early and get the necessary education in high school and your early years of college or university.  In high school, be sure to take as many science courses as you can, particularly physics and chemistry, as well as mathematics, computing and programming.  During your undergraduate degree, studying physics, astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, and mathematics are all useful to work toward an astronomy career.

    For more information, check out our video!

    SOURCES:

    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/i-want-to-be-an-astronomer-what-will-my-salary-be/article24512769/

    https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/astronomer/

    http://casca.ca/?page_id=93

    https://www.noao.edu/education/being-an-astronomer.php

  • How You Can Have an Out-Of-This-World Career as an Astronomer

    There are marvels in our universe extending far past than what we can see on earth, and there’s a dedicated team of people working to crack its secrets. On this team is a very important member of the science community called the astronomer – a person who studies the cosmos and the science behind stars and the universe. An astronomer needs a strong background in math and physics to be able to calculate the characteristics and movements behind different bodies moving in space including planets, moons, satellites, stars, and other unknown entities.

    Astronomy is largely a standard full-time job with a significant amount of the work happening at night when more of the celestial bodies are more visible. You can expect to work in a team environment on a project that analyzes data, strings together hypotheses, and uses data collected early in the experiment to propose other research topics. To acquire this job, you must attend 5 to 7 years of schooling and earn a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics, as well as having some experience in a post-doctoral research program, which can typically last from 2 to 3 years. Students who succeed in graduating from this strenuous schooling will find a highly rewarding career that will provide stability for the rest of the student’s life. 

    What are the perks of the job?

    If you have a passion for math and science, the perks write themselves out. Other benefits that come with this job is its particularly high median annual salary: a whopping $104,100 as reported in 2015 by according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. When you enter into the astronomy profession, you enter into a job that is always interesting, always fulfilling, and also allows you to do some traveling as you present your findings to international conferences.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    Some of the setbacks to this career can include the difficult it is to get into. Research institutes want the best astronomers on their team and with a projected growth rate of 3% between 2014-2044, it can be a highly competitive field. As well, it requires many years of very expensive schooling, in-state costs in the U.S. can range from $16,575 to $68,230 while out-of-state can range from $27,735 to $68,230.

    How can I grow with this career?

    Being an astronomer is a highly celebrated profession and allows you to gain international recognition. You could also win a Nobel Prize for your findings if you excel in your work! There are also other fields you would have the skills for within the scientific community or inspire the next generation of scientific minds with a career in teaching the subject at colleges or universities. Many astronomers also write non-fiction books to present their findings or engage with the literary community as another way to self-promote and earn extra passive income.

    That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

    Being an astronomer will open up other doors in the scientific community that require a similar set of skills: analysis, mathematics, sciences, etc. As well, you will be qualified for a teaching job in this field after a few extra years in teacher’s college should you choose to work for colleges and universities.

    Reference:

    CollegeCalc: “Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other”

    http://www.collegecalc.org/majors/astronomy-and-astrophysics-other/

    Study.com: “Astronomer: Job Info & Career Requirements”

    https://study.com/articles/Astronomer_Job_Information_and_Requirements_for_Students_Considering_a_Career_in_Astronomy.html

  • Dream Job: Astronomer

    Dream Job: Astronomer

    Imagine what it would be like to travel among the stars and planets, visiting the Big Dipper and stepping out onto the surface of Venus. Most people have never had the chance to travel out into space, and most of the planets are too far away to visit. However, one group of people can visit the stars and planets by studying them and learning all about them. Astronomers have the chance to study the skies and teach others about the amazing things that they find there.

    Depending on their jobs, astronomers might focus mainly on research or teaching. Astronomers study stars, planets, asteroids, comets and anything else that they find in our galaxy and beyond. They invent telescopes and other instruments that help them record what they see. Some of them might develop new theories that help people to understand the universe better and to predict what might happen in the sky.

    Sometimes, this kind of knowledge can be very important for life on earth. Storms on the sun, for example, can affect the weather on earth. Eclipses, where the moon covers part or all of the sun, can also cause problems unless people know they are coming and can prepare for them. The information that astronomers provide can help to make life much easier for many people.

    Several jobs are closely related to work in astronomy. Physicists, cosmologists, nuclear physicists and physics research scientists all work with the same kinds of theories, computer software and scientific instruments. They might have to work in different ways to achieve results, but they all use the same basic methods of gathering and processing information.

    Much of the work that astronomers do is solitary or in small groups of scientists and researchers. However, the ability to communicate with other people is also important. Do the things that you see in the skies fascinate you? Maybe you should consider becoming an astronomer.