How Does One Become An Astronomer?

[Cc1]

So... How does one becomen astronomer? Are you given the title after completing several ammount of degrees? Or is it based on discovery? WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS?!!

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

One studies "Astronomy"

Okay, I think it's a subset of one of the sciences, physics I think (rather like the only way to become an archaeologist is to study geology as an undergraduate).

[Kenemet]

It doesn't take much more than a backyard telescope and an understanding of how to locate and observe stars to become a skywatcher. To be employed as an astronomer, however, is a different thing altogether.

You will need to get at least a Masters' in astronomy (jobs are difficult to find) and preferably a PhD. You will be expected to know physics, chemistry, and geology as well as astronomy. You will be studying one aspect of it (I know a planetologist, which is how I came by this information) and will generally have done some independent research and published a paper or two. You're an astronomer when you get a job that involves getting paid to research the universe.

[Starhunter]

You need to gobble down a load of university material and then be stamped with that black square hat (with the little donkey's tail) representing permanent brain damage,

or you could just be an intelligent human being that loves stars and whatever is out there.

And if you want to sound educated, just learn a handful of Latin or some other dead language and tell people stuff like how galaxies bash each other up, planets having a history of violence, explosive talk like jets, rockets and big bangs, then black holes, and worm holes, asteroids ruining dinosaurs, bacteria under ice on a distant Jovian moon, the sun frying us in the future and turning into a red dwarf and other mutterings like that.

[Imaginarynumber1]

One studies "Astronomy"

Okay, I think it's a subset of one of the sciences, physics I think (rather like the only way to become an archaeologist is to study geology as an undergraduate).

Umm.. archeology is usually a sub discipline of anthropology.

Though geology is useful.

Edited December 22, 2014 by Imaginarynumber1

[Merc14]

You need to gobble down a load of university material and then be stamped with that black square hat (with the little donkey's tail) representing permanent brain damage,

or you could just be an intelligent human being that loves stars and whatever is out there.

And if you want to sound educated, just learn a handful of Latin or some other dead language and tell people stuff like how galaxies bash each other up, planets having a history of violence, explosive talk like jets, rockets and big bangs, then black holes, and worm holes, asteroids ruining dinosaurs, bacteria under ice on a distant Jovian moon, the sun frying us in the future and turning into a red dwarf and other mutterings like that.

So you equate higher education with brain damage? Why?