One of the oldest sciences is Astronomy and a lot has changed from what it used to be, to what it is today. Astronomy can be described as the scientific observation and study of planetary systems, galaxies, starts, comets etc. They study all of space phenomena- beyond the atmosphere of the earth. In the olden days, astronomers carried out most of their observation and investigation of the sky during the night for reading, studying, and making predictions about the celestial bodies. We have come a long way from that, and today meteorology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the motion and evolution of celestial bodies etc. are all integrated into the entirety of the Astronomy course . And yet, there are quite a few myths surrounding astronomy as a career.
Read on to learn about some popular myths and debunking them to truly understand the subject and the extent of its positive implications.
Most of the popular myths regarding a career in astronomy are – –
Astronomy is super easy. Astronomers do not follow any career path.
- Path A: High school students can choose Science subjects and go ahead with an undergraduate degree like a B.Sc in Applied Physics/Physics. They may then prepare to opt for M.Sc in Physics and later even a Ph.D. in Physics by cracking the UGC-NET exam.
- Path B: Take up Sciences in 11th and 12th. Go ahead with an undergraduate B.Tech degree in Computer Science. That will lead your way towards an M.Tech/M.Sc in Astrophysics or Physics.
- Path C: A science education in high school, followed by a B.Sc in Physics. As you complete your M.Sc in Astronomy/Astrophysics/Physics. Followed by pursuing a Ph.D. in an astronomy program right after.
Astronomers do not need any skills. They peer at the sky all throughout the time through telescopes
- Advanced understanding of Physics, Math, and the Sciences
- Critical thinking
- Continuous Learning
- Excellent ability to interpret data
- Excellent capability in research
- Highly skilled in problem solving
Other myths related to a career in astronomy are- –
- Astronomers work alone in absolute privacy
- Astronomers only work for NASA and space agencies
What are the job responsibilities of an Astronomer?
The most crucial roles and responsibilities of a professional astronomer are the following –
- Observe, study, and research on the energy and nature of matter in the universe
- Publish their insights and findings on journals
- Perform advanced calculations on the basis of data evaluation & analysis
- Describe those observations and related outcomes in mathematical terms
- Those working in the academic field may spend most of their time writing research papers, conducting research, presenting their findings and lecturing at academic conferences all over the globe
- Design and develop computer simulations for modeling physical data for better understanding
- Develop laws and theories based on experiments and observations. Apply the same in resolving problem areas in fields like aerospace technology etc.
We sincerely hope this article has cleared your doubts about astronomy as a trivial subject. Rather it takes great training, education, and sincerity to become an astronomer who can proceed in future to opt for excellent career options.
