What You'll Do

  • Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
  • Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
  • Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
  • Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
  • Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
  • Raise funds for scientific research.
  • Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
  • Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
  • Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
  • Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.25/5
Science 4.25/5
Writing 4.12/5
Mathematics 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 4.12/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Active Learning 4.0/5
Learning Strategies 3.75/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.62/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.5/5
Monitoring 3.38/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Analytical Thinking, Persistence, Achievement/Effort, Attention to Detail, Initiative

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.12/5
Written Comprehension 4.12/5
Oral Expression 4.12/5
Written Expression 4.12/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Mathematical Reasoning 4.0/5
Number Facility 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Abstraction plus reference plus synthesis A++ Adaptive optics AO simulation software Analyze Apache Hadoop Astronomical Image Processing for Windows AIP4WIN Astronomical Image Processing System AIPS Astronomical information processing system AIPS++ Avis Fits Viewer C++ Data reduction software Diffraction Limited MaxIm DL European Southern Observatory Munich Image Data Analysis System ESO-MIDAS Formula translation/translator FORTRAN IBM SPSS Statistics Interface definition language IDL IRIS Linux Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.91/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 4.61/5)
  • Achievement/Effort (High importance: 4.57/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.43/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.26/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Astronomer Astronomy Outreach Coordinator Astrophysicist Cosmologist Extragalactic Astronomer Galactic Astronomer High-Energy Astrophysicist Institute Scientist Optical Astronomer Planetary Astronomer Postdoc Scientist (Postdoctoral Scientist) Radio Astronomer Research Astrophysicist Solar Astronomer Stellar Astronomer Theoretical Astronomer