Becoming an astronomer

I love astronomy but...

Cutting Edge — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:18:00 GMT

Hi everybody, this is my first post, I realize I should probably go for the introductions section, but I've really got a more specific issue. I'm currently a college student (going into my third year at the University of Florida), majoring in social sciences. I love astronomy, I can't seem to get enough of it! I took an introductory level astronomy course and I'd say its one of my favorite classes so far. Or at least the lectures were. The lab attached to it was much less interesting. The same was true of my introduction to physics + lab. And therein lies the problem. I love learning about science, and I have the desire to follow it as far as I can, but that doens't seem to be too far. I'm not very good at math (which is definitely a problem), and applying it to the science I'm learning becomes problematic. I guess I'm not asking a question as much as simply venting. I'd like to major in a science, but I feel like I lack the capacity for it. As for the social sciences, I do pretty well in that area (but thats all pretty easy stuff). Does anybody here have any advice regarding this? And is there anything related to space science that someone in my situation could excel in? Thankyou!

Education in northwestern florida

Nebulocity — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:12:26 GMT

Hello! I'm interested in pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Astrophysics, Astronomy, or even a general study of Physics and possibly minor in Astronomy/Astrophysics/Planetary Sciences. However, living in Navarre, FL (previously Fort Walton Beach, FL), it doesn't seem like any of the institutions over here offer anything like this. The closest i can get (in a "general" term), is a BS in Management, which i'm not interested in at all.

Is anyone here from Florida with any experience with this? The University of Florida's Astronomy section lists classes (http://www.astro.ufl.edu/), but i don't believe they offer anything for distance learning. I believe they're near Orlando, FL, however i'm up in the "pan handle", have a full time job and married with two children. If the courses were offered via distance learning, I could do it, but with all the Labs, i'm not sure what to do.

I'm far along enough in life now that i can apply myself (28 in November), and i'm eager to start on the path to getting a degree in something that i've always loved. Working in the IT industry, i could always get a degree in Computer Science, but while my job can be enjoyable at times, it's not something that i want to do forever (even though in most cases it pays well). I would be perfectly fine doing something i love, making less (within limits, of course)!

Anyway, is anyone in here from Florida who could offer some advice? Or if you're from Florida, has anyone found any schools on the internet that offer any of the above listed degrees via long-distance "online learning"?

Astronomy or Planetary Sciences?

Permafrost — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:38:27 GMT

Hey guys, I'm 35 years old and plan to agressively go back to school. I love Astronomy and Planetary Sciences (Anything but the Earth--boring!) but dont know what to pursue exactly.

I've read what it says here concerning planetary science http://www.princetonreview.com/Majors.aspx?cip=400203 and it sounds exactly like the stuff I'm into. I'm basically very into Exo Planetology and/or planets and moons of our solar system or eleswhere and how they react with their Stars. Solar Astronomy lsounds fascinating as well and so does Terraforming. I'm basically trying to find something that blends all these together or maybe Planetary Sciences is enough.

Can anyone give me any type of advice on anything?

Help in an exercise

AstroSurf — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:13:41 GMT

Can someone help me in solving an exercise?

I have this exercise where i'm give the right ascension (4h 35 min) and declination (22º 00') of the sun in June 1st 1983, and I'm asked the ecliptic latitude and longitude of the sun. I've used the well known conversion equation to get the values and I get zero for the ecliptic latitude and 62,5 º for longitude, but in the answers to this exercise the value of longitude is 70º 22'.

Am i missing something? Some reduction of coordinates?? It would be weird if i needed to do some reduction of coordinates because i'm not asked for the coordinates at some specific time, so i assumed it must be at june 1st 1983. and in this case no conversion is need right?

thank you!!

I need help! :)

mayluo78 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:49:32 GMT

Hi Everyone, my name is May...This is my first time to be here... =) I want to ask what kind of fundamental courses I need to take in order to prepare for the astronomy university programs?

Something very cool: The Art of Teaching

DrJeff — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:49:40 GMT

Thought you all might like this very personal essay on the power of teaching, and why teachers are our future. http://blogontheuniverse.org/drjeff-on-stuff/the-art-of-teaching/

Our forum policies, including no advertising (updated July 8, 2009)

Karri Ferron — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:09:22 GMT

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one quick question..how much do astronomers make a year?

interstellerkid — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:48:43 GMT

Studying astrophysics

vvanicek — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:27:14 GMT

Hi,

I am interested in a degree in Astrophysics. I am already an Electrical Engineer but want a 2nd career in the future. Where in Florida could I study astrophysics?

Thanks

Math in Astronomy

sci-nerd=] — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:00:19 GMT

Hello, I'm a high school student who is fascinated with science - especially astronomy.
I do excellent in every subject except for math. I hang on with a A- every time, and I always have to study my brains out for a test so I pass it. I know Astronomy deals with A LOT of mathematical equations and such.. so I was wondering how some of you, 'Astronomers,' or people really knowledgeable in astronomy, studied math in high school or college. How did you come to understand it that when your tested for math; it comes as easy as writing sentences. Is there something that interest you about math that makes it easier to calculate complex equations? I could try to make it interesting but, I'm going to need advice..

What's the use of Biology in astronomy?

kbabakS — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:48:34 GMT

Hello, i'm kbabakS. I'm a student of A' level under GCE examination board. Now i'm really looking forward to taking astronomy as my profession in future. I already have maths, further maths, physics and chemistry in my A'level course. Since i have to choose subjects for my A'level, i'm totally screwed up as whether i should take biology as one of my subjects or not. I need some guidlines regarding this problem!

Thanking you,

kbabakS.

what kind of math do u need to become a astronomer????

drowntrack — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 22:00:45 GMT

i have just recently taken the biggest interest in astronomy i really want to do something with and i know math is a big part of it soo i want to know wut kind of math is needed so i can studyy it!!!!

what are the types of supernovae

interstellerkid — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:26:54 GMT

i need help with this.

top math

jared64 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:58:22 GMT

I was wondering if anyone could point me towards a top quality junior college for mathematics. I somewhat neglected to take college prep classes so I'll have to start at the bottom. For now, my plans are to go to a junior college for my BS with an emphasis on math, then hopefully attend Berkeley or MIT for astronomy and a doctorate in earth, atmospheric, and planetary science.

Any advice on the matter will be appreciated! Thanks

where is the moon

ghostnight0283 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:45:51 GMT

For the past few nights ive been observing the sky and constellations, but one thing seems to be missing. The moon has been abscent for three nights now. Can anyone tell me what is going on is it a phase or what . Please help Thanx all.

problems identifying objects with 1st telescope

ghostnight0283 — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:54:04 GMT

I recently bought a 600mm x 60mm refractor telescope and ive taken it out spotted lots of constellations, identified their alpha stars and other stars of different magnitudes. My question is about an object i keep seeing in the vacinity of alpha stars such as arcturus. Offset from arcturus i see a brilliant white outline of something as if the light from arcturus is shinning from the other side and im viewing from the dark side of that object. The funny thing is on my planisphere there is nothing in that position. Please help Thanx oh yeah if someone knows why all stars through my telescope have no detail at all no color and maybe where i can look to find more id appreciate it Thanx All

how are galaxies formed

interstellerkid — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:58:49 GMT

i need help on how galaxies are formed. tell me how or a website that explains it pretty good.. thanks

what should i include in on my 10 page astronomy essay.. what are some good ideas you would put up

interstellerkid — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:19:04 GMT

i know what i would put. im just asking for some other ideas you would put on there.

Need Professional Astronomer to answer these interview questions

Phoenix49 — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:55:56 GMT

1 How did you decide to become an Astronomer?

2. Have you ever had regrets about becoming an Astronomer?

3. Is there any other career that you would have chosen?

4. How much is the average salary of an Astronomer?

5. Did you study stars and planets as a kid?

6. What do you enjoy most about your career?

7. What is the most difficult part of being an Astronomer?

8. What is the easiest part of being an Astronomer?

9. What are other related careers that are similar to Astronomy?

10. How has becoming an Astronomer helped you with other things in life?

11. What’s the greatest thing you have done in your career?

12. How long have you been an Astronomer?

13. Was there something or someone who encouraged you to become an Astronomer?

14. When you were younger did you dream of being anything else?

15. Which courses in college or high school that helped you today?

16. Can you explain the problems of being an astronomer?

17. Do you work with other professionals?

18. How important is it to keep a record of what you observe?

19. What kind of telescope do you use?

20. What tips do you recommend for an amateur astronomer?

What should I include in on my 10 page solar system essay...

interstellerkid — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:38:24 GMT

i just need some ideas i could talk about.

what forms a black hole

interstellerkid — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:28:04 GMT

i dont understand how black holes are formed

Astronomy/Astrophysics jobs

freakystyley20 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:23:51 GMT

i was just wondering if anyone has any advise on what is the best way to look for a job in astronomy or astrophysics for someone with an honours degree in astrophysics.

Thank you

Simon

Midlife crisis astronomy degree

Alfred Sagan — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:47:39 GMT

Hi, I'm currently doing an Economics degree and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to do a second degree in Astronomy or physics when I get a little older, say 30 years old - 40...I'm 20 now... I didn't do physics in my last year of high school because I was one of those kids who cared more about going out and getting drunk with friends than actually learning something interesting..It's only now that I'm at university my hunger for knowledge has blossomed...Modules in my course such as econometrics are very math intensive, would this perhaps help me get accepted somewhere to study astronomy? Is it possible without having done physics in the last year of high school? (i did it the years before and always got good grades without studying) I just don't want to be a business analyst or something, walking around in a suit all day and having to be mean to people, hehe.

Please, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Alfred(not my real name)lol

Our forum policies, including no advertising (updated 12/18/2008)

Karri Ferron — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:03:58 GMT

Now, to the rules:

Please keep discussions on topic (that is, astronomy-related).

For further guidelines, please visit Frequently Asked Questions or our Web Site Usage Policy.

I have a bunch of questions.

themask — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:48:51 GMT

Hey I'm in grade 11, and live in Canada.

I'm really good at math/science and astronomy/space science has been luring me in for quite sometime now and i find it VERY interesting.

Basically, what are some universities which you can obtain a PhD in? I have a 96 average so marks aren't an issue here.

Also, are there any programs or anything I can get involved with at this age where i can learn more/help out in the space/astronomy scene?

Thanks guys.