What does an astronomer do?
You may be wondering, what is astronomy and what do astronomers do? Well, astronomers study the planets, stars, galaxies and solar systems to learn more about the universe. The work of an astronomer uses principles of physics and mathematics to explain celestial occurrences. Most astronomers’ jobs have a heavy focus on research and are based at universities. Using telescopes and other instruments, they observe space and analyse findings to further society’s collective knowledge of the universe. An astronomer may also teach astronomy, physics or astrophysics.
Is a career as an astronomer right for me?
If you’re thinking about a career in astronomy it’s beneficial to be good at maths and problem-solving but also to be inquisitive and imaginative. Some other key skills and attributes of an Astronomer include:
- a fascination with the universe
- an analytical mind
- patience
- an interest in research
- strong abilities in computing and physics
- good oral and written communication skills.
How to become an astronomer
Every journey to study is individual and there are several paths to reaching your astronomy career goals. At UniSQ, we offer the following degrees in the area of astronomy:
