Careers in Careers in AstronomyAstronomy

AST 200AST 200

AstronomyAstronomy

Primary GoalPrimary Goal: Understanding the nature of : Understanding the nature of the universe and its constituentsthe universe and its constituents

MeansMeans: Equipment building, research, : Equipment building, research, teachingteaching

Primary Vocational PathPrimary Vocational Path: B.S., M.S., Ph.D.: B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

General Areas of StudyGeneral Areas of Study SolarSolar – the study of the sun – the study of the sun PlanetaryPlanetary – the study of – the study of planets, comets, asteroids, planets, comets, asteroids, debris around other starsdebris around other stars

StellarStellar – the study of stars – the study of stars GalacticGalactic – the study of our – the study of our GalaxyGalaxy

ExtragalacticExtragalactic – the study of – the study of other galaxiesother galaxies

CosmologyCosmology – the study of the – the study of the origin & evolution of the origin & evolution of the universeuniverse

EducationEducation UndergraduateUndergraduate: Physics &/or : Physics &/or Astronomy major (sometimes Math Astronomy major (sometimes Math & Engineering as well)& Engineering as well)

GraduateGraduate: Physics &/or : Physics &/or AstronomyAstronomy1)Two years of classes

2)Four years of thesis research (observational, theoretical, instrumentation)

Postdoctoral workPostdoctoral work The graduate phase is followed The graduate phase is followed by one or more 2 to 3-year by one or more 2 to 3-year research positionsresearch positions

These are These are transitionaltransitional jobs jobs

Permanent JobsPermanent Jobs Telescope OperatorTelescope Operator Telescope Support ScientistTelescope Support Scientist Staff job (at Staff job (at JPLJPL, , STScISTScI, etc…), etc…) ProfessorProfessor

Telescope OperatorTelescope Operator Operates the Telescope for Visiting AstronomersOperates the Telescope for Visiting Astronomers Night job, often at high elevationNight job, often at high elevation Works in shifts, e.g., 3 – 4 nights on, 3 – 4 Works in shifts, e.g., 3 – 4 nights on, 3 – 4 nights offnights off

Telescope Support Telescope Support ScientistScientist

Typically affiliated with a specific Typically affiliated with a specific instrumentinstrument on a telescope on a telescope

Aids visiting observers in becoming familiar Aids visiting observers in becoming familiar with the working of the instrumentwith the working of the instrument

On standby most of the timeOn standby most of the time

Staff ScientistStaff Scientist Work primarily in Work primarily in NASA-NASA-supportedsupported facilities facilities

Examples: Jet Propulsion Lab Examples: Jet Propulsion Lab ((JPLJPL), and the Space Telescope ), and the Space Telescope Science Institute (Science Institute (STScISTScI))

Instrument support, software Instrument support, software support, managementsupport, management

Typically, 20-50% of time is Typically, 20-50% of time is devoted to researchdevoted to research

ProfessorProfessor TeachingTeaching ResearchResearch Grant WritingGrant Writing Supervising Graduate StudentsSupervising Graduate Students CommitteesCommittees

Types of Faculty JobsTypes of Faculty Jobs TheoristTheorist Observational AstronomerObservational Astronomer Instrument BuilderInstrument Builder

SalariesSalaries Graduate StudentGraduate Student: $20 (: $20 (±± 10) K 10) K PostdocPostdoc: $40 (: $40 (± 5) K± 5) K Support/Staff/ProfessorSupport/Staff/Professor: $80 (± 20) : $80 (± 20) KK

Note 1Note 1: Some faculty members & : Some faculty members & managers make a lot more than this!managers make a lot more than this!

Note 2Note 2: Salary is also dependent on : Salary is also dependent on locationlocation

Research – Scientific Research – Scientific Detective WorkDetective Work

HypothesisHypothesis Tools/Sample to Test HypothesisTools/Sample to Test Hypothesis Propose for ObservationsPropose for Observations Obtain ObservationsObtain Observations Reduce & Analyze dataReduce & Analyze data Modify HypothesisModify Hypothesis Etc.Etc.

Where are these Where are these Telescopes?Telescopes?

On Mountaintops…On Mountaintops…

Mauna Kea, Hawaii

In Desert Valleys…In Desert Valleys…

Owens Valley, California

In Space…In Space…

Hubble Space Telescope

Example: Observing in Owens Example: Observing in Owens ValleyValley

Example: Keck TelescopeExample: Keck Telescope

Potential ProblemsPotential Problems

Clouds Ice

Software/Hardware Malfunctions

Grant MoneyGrant Money National Aeronautics & Space National Aeronautics & Space Administration (Administration (NASANASA))

National Science Foundation National Science Foundation ((NSFNSF))

Private DonorsPrivate Donors

Alternative Careers for Alternative Careers for Those Who Have Studied Those Who Have Studied

AstronomyAstronomy Computer-related Work (Software Computer-related Work (Software Development, System Administrator, Development, System Administrator, etc.)etc.)

Business SchoolBusiness School FinanceFinance

I.e., Jobs that Require Logic, I.e., Jobs that Require Logic, Math, & Computer SkillsMath, & Computer Skills

Why Astronomy is Presently Why Astronomy is Presently Such a Great VocationSuch a Great Vocation

Fast & Cheap ComputersFast & Cheap Computers Large Aperture TelescopesLarge Aperture Telescopes Space-based Telescopes & Space Space-based Telescopes & Space ProbesProbes

The InternetThe Internet

Exciting Discoveries over Exciting Discoveries over the Last ~ 10 Years -the Last ~ 10 Years -

The Kuiper Belt & its Bearing The Kuiper Belt & its Bearing on the Nature of Plutoon the Nature of Pluto

Extrasolar PlanetsExtrasolar Planets Supermassive Black Holes in Supermassive Black Holes in Nearby Normal GalaxiesNearby Normal Galaxies

Galaxies at High Redshift Galaxies at High Redshift

Goals for the Next 10 Goals for the Next 10 YearsYears

Survey the universe & its Survey the universe & its constituentsconstituents

Use the universe as a unique lab for Use the universe as a unique lab for probing the laws of physics not probing the laws of physics not accessible on Earthaccessible on Earth

Search for life beyond Earth, & if Search for life beyond Earth, & if it is found, determine its nature & it is found, determine its nature & its distributionits distribution

Develop a conceptual framework that Develop a conceptual framework that account for all that astronomers account for all that astronomers have observedhave observed