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Career Details : Astronomers

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Description

Observe, research, and interpret celestial and astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge and apply such information to practical problems.

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Tasks

  • Studies celestial phenomena from ground or above atmosphere, using various optical devices, such as telescopes situated on ground or attached to satellites.
  • Studies history, structure, extent, and evolution of stars, stellar systems, and universe.
  • Calculates orbits and determines sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.
  • Develops mathematical tables giving positions of sun, moon, planets, and stars at given times for use by air and sea navigators.
  • Designs optical, mechanical, and electronic instruments for astronomical research.
  • Analyzes wave lengths of radiation from celestial bodies, as observed in all ranges of spectrum.
  • Determines exact time by celestial observations and conducts research into relationships between time and space.
  • Computes positions of sun, moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Aware of New Events
    • Consequence of Error
    • Sitting
    • Indoors

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