When you are outside at night, do you always find yourself looking up to the stars? If you have a love of science, with a special interest in space and physics, you should strongly consider majoring in astronomy! Astronomers study planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. Astronomy is the oldest of the natural sciences, and the only one in which you cannot perform experiments directly- that is you cannot touch, smell, or weigh your subject matter. Because of this, the center of an astronomer’s education consists of a firm grounding in physics. The stars may be in your future if you choose to major in astronomy!
Education
Astronomers typically need a Ph.D. in astronomy or physics for research and academia jobs, but they can also be found working in research laboratories and observatories. Some professional astronomers are employed by the federal government to work for companies such as NASA. In the U.S. there are roughly 100 colleges that offer Ph.D. programs in astronomy, and more that offer undergraduate degrees in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, or mathematics. The bulk of your college education is going to be spent studying the sciences.
What to know before you apply
Your entire educational journey will take around 10 years to complete, so make sure you are passionate about learning about the universe. Although many people think this, you are not going to be sitting outside looking at the stars all night when you major in astronomy. A lot of your work is going to be studying the history of the universe, and using computer programs to analyze data to make your fieldwork more efficient. You will write research papers, attend meetings, and do other office-like tasks. When you are done however, what better way to celebrate then to go outside and look up to the stars?
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, astronomers and physicists earned an average of $109,290 per year as of 2014. Employment is expected to grow seven percent from 2014 to 2024, which is the average for all occupations.
