Where to work as an astronomer. Macquarie University

Astrophysics is a demanding field, but if you have a passion for the stars and love unraveling the mysteries of the universe, this is the profession for you. However, you will have to study a lot and gain a lot of practical experience before you can get a permanent job in your specialty.

Steps

Section 1: First steps

Study the subject. The earlier you start studying a subject, the further you will progress in mastering it. Take every opportunity to learn something new about a given topic. You should also familiarize yourself with what awaits you when choosing this profession.
- In general terms, astrophysics can be theoretical or experimental. Theoretical astrophysicists study the physical processes occurring in the universe, and experimental astrophysicists use mathematical models and computer simulations to explain astrophysical phenomena.
- Regardless of your specialization, you must develop and explain theories about the structure of the universe, analyze experimental data, test hypotheses, and prepare scientific articles for publication.
Get an appropriate higher education. If you are still in high school, take classes in subjects related to astrophysics. Study not only disciplines directly related to astrophysics, but also mathematics, as well as subjects you need to continue your studies.
- While there are benefits to studying any science, physics and chemistry are the most important to you. You should also study higher mathematics as deeply as possible.
- Keep your GPA high and take advanced courses whenever possible. This will make it easier for you to study such a complex discipline as astrophysics at university.
Join local clubs and get involved in activities. As a rule, astrophysics is not studied in depth in classes at such clubs, but if you are a beginner, this will allow you to learn the basics of astronomy as early as possible. There are several possibilities here.
- Check to see if there are any astronomy clubs or classes at your school or somewhere nearby.
- Become a member of your local planetarium.
- Attend free or low-cost lectures at your local library or university.
- Attend specialized astronomy events held by planetariums, universities, and other organizations.
Section 2: higher education
1. Get your bachelor's degree. Ideally, you should find a university with a master's program in astrophysics. However, such a program is quite rare, so it will be enough to complete a course in physics or astronomy.
  - You can graduate from university with two majors in physics and astronomy at once, but it will take longer. It is better to get a major in one of these subjects and a minor in the second.
  - Also consider taking computer courses as this will help you in further astrophysics research.
  - A bachelor's degree in physics or astronomy is just a junior level. With this degree, you will not take up a research position, but can only hope to work as a technician, laboratory assistant or research assistant at an observatory.
2. Continue your studies and get a master's degree. If a bachelor's degree only allows you to enter the scientific community, with a master's degree in astrophysics you can already occupy some kind of low-level position.
  - Typically, a master's degree will allow you to work as a research assistant in a more established organization, or as a consultant.
  - If you are looking to advance your field of astrophysics as far as possible, consider going to graduate school after completing your master's degree. A PhD degree will open up broad prospects for you.
3. Finish graduate school. If you want to get a high-level job in astrophysics, you will most likely need an advanced degree in that field. Choose a graduate school with a program dedicated specifically to astrophysics, rather than related fields.
  - Get ready for an in-depth study of various sections of physics, astronomy, mathematics, computer science, and statistics. You will also be required to conduct independent research and complete a PhD thesis.
  - Graduate study can take five or more years. During your studies, you may want to join a research group and do research while writing your dissertation.
  - You will almost certainly need a PhD if you want to work at a university as a lecturer or researcher. You will also need a degree if you want to conduct research for government programs.
  - Most graduate programs require a concentration in specific areas of astrophysics, such as cosmology, radio astronomy, etc.
Section 3: Work Experience
1. Devote your summer holidays to practice. When attending school or college, look for research programs, practical courses, and other opportunities available during the summer.
  - Find out if your university's physics and/or astronomy department can help you participate in such a program. Some schools have "career services" that can also help you.
  - Also check with specialized organizations to see if they offer summer internships. Such organizations may be specialized institutes of the Academy of Sciences, observatories of state significance.
2. Make active use of research programs. Even after completing your PhD, you will have to hold temporary positions for the first time before you get a permanent one. Many temporary positions for postgraduate researchers last for 2-3 years.
  - During this period of time, you will work alongside more experienced scientists in your and related fields.
  - At first you will work under someone else's direction and control. However, then, as you gain experience, you will acquire more and more O greater independence in their research.
3. Make as many scientific contacts as possible. Because the field of astrophysics is so competitive, you will need to gain as much experience and make as many contacts as possible. Try to make a favorable impression on employers and employees. In the future, they will be able to give you good recommendations when competing for a vacant position; Such recommendations often play an important role when choosing between candidates.
  - Consider opportunities to work outside of your country. Even if your country has many research programs, if you want to achieve excellence in your field, do not limit yourself to working only within your country. Sometimes participation in research programs is available only to citizens of the country, but in most cases foreigners can also participate.
Section 4: Finding a Job
1. Choose between research and teaching. Regardless of which path you choose in the field of astrophysics, you will be involved in scientific research. However, some tenure-track positions are purely research-based, while others combine research and teaching. The former, as a rule, are more numerous, while the latter are limited mainly by the walls of universities.
  - Scientific research is often a completely independent activity, but sometimes collaboration with other scientific groups and organizations imposes restrictions.
  - Researchers have a fairly flexible work schedule, while teachers have a more rigid work schedule.
  - In addition to your official work as a teacher, you may give lectures on new scientific advances, etc. If you work at a planetarium or similar organization, you can give lessons to those interested in your free time.
2. Know where to look. Because astrophysics is a fairly specialized field, you may have limited job opportunities to choose from. Search among organizations that carry out any activity in the field of astrophysics. Usually the number of jobs is limited, so the search may take some time.
  - Most jobs are provided by schools and universities, followed by research institutes of the Academy of Sciences.
  - You can also get a job in private research organizations, science centers, and planetariums.
3. Know what to expect. You will spend most of your working time in offices and laboratories. Although you will have unlimited opportunities for professional growth, the number of jobs is limited, which leads to competition.
  - According to statistics compiled by the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the average salary of astrophysicists in the US in May 2012 was about $106,360 per year. Those working under government programs earned an average of $111,020. The average salary in private companies is about $104,650, in universities - $81,180.
  - According to the BTS, expected job growth from 2012 to 2022 is comparable to that for other occupations. In other words, the number of jobs is expected to increase by 10 percent over this period.
4. Maintain your professional level. Whether you want to keep your job or reach new heights, be prepared to be a lifelong learner. You will have to learn something new all the time, mastering new theories in astrophysics and keeping up with the times.
  - Not so much the acquisition of new degrees or certificates, but the need to constantly maintain a high professional level will require you to participate in lectures, seminars and scientific conferences. As your professional level grows, you will be invited to certain scientific events. On them you will often deal with an active and sometimes critical audience.

An astrophysicist is a scientist who studies the structure of various celestial bodies. The profession of astrophysics is close to the profession of astronomer; it combines the techniques and methods of physics and astronomy.

Astrophysicist's work

An astrophysicist studies celestial bodies such as the Sun, Moon, planets of the solar system, stars and comets. The scientist is interested in their structure, properties, chemical composition and physical processes occurring in them. The astrophysicist also studies the Universe as a whole, individual galaxies and black holes. Space is fraught with many mysteries, which astrophysicists are trying to solve.

Astrophysicists mainly work in observatories, which are located in places with the best view of the starry sky. There they observe celestial bodies using special super-powerful telescopes. Moreover, observations of various space objects require different equipment and must be carried out at different times of the day.

Based on the results of observations, astrophysicists conduct research and analyze the data obtained. Research work is mainly carried out in research centers and institutes. The work done allows astrophysicists to put forward hypotheses and scientific theories about the organization of space, as well as explain various cosmic phenomena. In their work, astrophysicists actively use modern computer technologies.

Another important task of astrophysicists is to participate in the preparation of space flights. Here their task is to determine the conditions in which the astronaut will be in flight. It is astrophysicists who must predict the location and behavior of various celestial bodies and space debris that may in some way affect the astronauts. The task of astrophysicists is extremely responsible and important.

Astrophysicist - training

In order to become an astrophysicist, you need to obtain a higher technical education. This profession requires a long period of study - after a bachelor’s degree it is necessary to complete a master’s or graduate school, and you can also further increase your academic degree. Universities train future astrophysicists in the specialty “Astronomy” in the following profiles:

Astrophysics
Astrometry
Galactic astronomy
Gravimetry, geodesy and space navigation
Celestial Mechanics

Even after receiving an academic degree, an astrophysicist must periodically attend various domestic and international seminars and conferences to exchange experiences with colleagues and learn about new achievements.

Career as an astrophysicist

Astrophysics does not stand still and in the near future many discoveries will be made in it. The profession of astrophysics is quite rare and highly specialized. It is not in great demand, however, astrophysics largely holds the future, so highly qualified specialists are very much needed in this field. Astrophysicists are mainly in demand in organizations that engage in scientific research in this area. World-famous corporations are Roscosmos or NASA. Such employees are also needed in observatories and research institutes. The higher the level of qualification of an astrophysicist, the more chances he has to build a brilliant career.

Astronomy is a science that studies celestial bodies, their movement, structure, as well as the systems formed by them. This is the most ancient field of knowledge: the origins of astronomy are lost in the depths of centuries.

We can say that it evolved along with humanity. And today astronomy does not stand still. Using the latest technologies, scientists constantly refine and supplement existing theories. The most high-profile discoveries in recent years have often been related to the phenomena that astrophysicists study. Using advances in technology to their full potential, astronomers inevitably encounter the limitations of the human mind. Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that, perhaps more often than others, encounters facts that cannot yet be explained. Scientists working under its banner, trying to find answers to increasingly complex questions, thereby stimulate technological progress. What astrophysicists are studying, what they have already managed to learn and what mysteries the Universe offers them today will be discussed below.

Peculiarities

Astrophysics deals with the determination of physical characteristics and their interactions. In her theories, she relies on knowledge about the laws of nature, accumulated by science in the process of studying the properties of matter on Earth.
Astrophysicists face significant limitations in their work. Unlike their colleagues who study the microworld or macroobjects under Earth conditions, they cannot conduct experiments. Many of the forces acting in space manifest themselves only at great distances or in the presence of objects of gigantic mass and volume. Such interaction cannot be studied in the laboratory, since it is impossible to create the necessary conditions. General astrophysics mainly deals with the results of passive observation.

Under such conditions, it is difficult to imagine obtaining data about objects. Due to the impossibility of experiments in this branch of astronomy, direct measurements of the necessary parameters do not exist. In this case, what do astrophysicists study and on what do they base their conclusions? The main source of information for scientists in such conditions is the analysis of electromagnetic waves that emit from celestial bodies.

Where it all began

Astronomy is a science that has been studying celestial bodies since time immemorial, but such a section as astrophysics has not always been in it. In fact, it began its formation in 1859, when G. Kirchhoff and R. Bunsen, after completing a series of experiments, established that any chemical element has a unique line spectrum. This meant that the spectrum of a celestial body could be used to judge its chemical composition. This is how spectral analysis was born, and with it astrophysics appeared.

Significance

In 1868, the newly created method made it possible to discover a new chemical element - helium. It was discovered while observing a total solar eclipse and studying the chromosphere of the star.

Modern astrophysics is also largely based on data. Improved technology makes it possible to obtain information about almost all characteristics of celestial bodies, as well as interstellar space: temperature, composition, behavior of atoms, magnetic field strength, and so on.

Invisible radiation

The discovery of radio emission significantly expanded the possibilities of astrophysics. Its registration made it possible to study the cold gas that fills interstellar space and emits light invisible to the eye, as well as the processes occurring in distant pulsars and neutron stars. The discovery, which confirmed the Big Bang theory that was emerging at that time, was of great importance for all of astronomy.

The space age has given astrophysicists new opportunities. Ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma radiation have become available, the path to Earth being blocked by the atmosphere. Telescopes, created taking into account new discoveries, have made it possible to detect hot gas in clusters of galaxies, neutron stars, and some characteristics of black holes.

Problems of astrophysics

Modern science has stepped far forward compared to the state in which it was at the end of the 19th century. Today, astrophysicists take advantage of all the latest advances in the field of recording electromagnetic radiation and obtaining data on distant objects based on them. However, it cannot be said that this branch of astronomy is moving absolutely unhindered along the path of studying the Universe. The conditions that arise in deep space are sometimes so difficult to record and understand that the interpretation of the data obtained about certain objects is difficult.

In the vicinity of a black hole, the interior of neutron stars and their magnetic fields, new physical properties of matter may appear. The inability to even approximately reproduce the extreme or limiting conditions in which such cosmic processes occur forms the main difficulties of astrophysics.

Model of the Universe

One of the most important tasks of modern astronomy is to understand how the vast cosmos develops. Today there are two main versions: open and closed Universe. The first implies constant and unlimited expansion. In this model, the distance between galaxies only increases, and after some time space will become a lifeless desert with rare islands of solid matter. Another option assumes that the expansion, which for most is an indisputable fact, will be replaced by a contraction phase of the Universe. There is no clear answer to the question of which theory is correct. Moreover, discoveries are emerging that significantly complicate the understanding of the future of the Universe and introduce a certain chaos into a seemingly orderly picture. These include, for example, the detection of energy.

Black holes, gamma-ray bursts

Among everything that astrophysicists study, there are a number of objects with a special touch of mystery. They also relate to the main problems of this branch of astronomy. These include black holes, many of the physical processes in space of which are completely unexplored, and gamma-ray bursts. The latter represent a release of huge amounts of energy, pulses of gamma radiation. Their nature is also not completely clear.

Understanding such objects and phenomena can significantly change our understanding of the structure of the Universe and the laws of space. It is the constant contact with the secrets of the universe that makes astrophysics the leading edge of science, which simultaneously highlights the limitations of modern knowledge and stimulates its further development. We can say that this branch of astronomy has become a kind of marker of progress: each discovery marks the victory of the human mind over another mystery.

Since ancient times, people have looked up to the stars. We considered them gods and the souls of our ancestors, and used them as a map or harbinger of destinies. Since ancient times, we have strived for the skies. Science is perhaps the most difficult and most exciting activity of all, and it is precisely this that every year brings us closer and closer to the stars.Dmitry Yakubovsky, Ph.D., working at the Bogolyubov Institute of Theoretical Physics and participating in a number of international projects in astrophysics and cosmology, in the special project “Proforients” spoke about the difficulties and joys of studying celestial bodies, about the prospects of Ukrainian researchers and about complete immersion in science.

Who is an astrophysicist

Astrophysics is a science at the intersection of astronomy and physics. She studies the physical properties of space objects observed using astronomy methods. We know from astronomy their mass, distance to them, and other parameters, but what kind of objects they are is studied by astrophysics. Both astrophysics and space physics are all part of physics, the same laws of physics apply, so you can always retrain.

The scientist's task is to discover some new data about nature or some new interpretation of this data, which will allow our knowledge of the world around us to move forward. One of the most important is the concept of priority. More recently, the ATLAS and CMS collaborations operating at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN discovered the possibility of a new resonance. And then an amazing collective effect was observed, when over the course of a month hundreds of publications by theorists appeared, explaining the new observations. Many people rushed into this area. But the value of the pioneer's work is very important - even if you are just one day late, your work will be worth less.

Why choose science

I didn't plan to become a scientist. As a child, I didn’t have as much information as I do now in the Internet era. I was interested in history. When I still lived in Krivoy Rog, in the 9th grade I won the Olympiad in physics and history. And I had to choose where to go next. I first thought about a scientific career when I was in the scientific and educational center in my 1st or 2nd year at the Faculty of Physics at Shevchenko University. I liked creating new knowledge, and then I simply chose which area to delve into. It was quite a long journey. And now I already have developments and ideas that, as I see, can be implemented and tested by experiments over the next 10-20 years. This motivates me to stay in science further.

What kind of education should an astrophysicist have?

I began to be interested in scientific literature as a child. At the age of 12, I had several university textbooks, for example, Glinka’s “General Chemistry,” which I reread many times, of course, without understanding much. From the 8th grade I took part in physics olympiads. I saw that there were problems outside the school curriculum that I was able to solve. Basically, I went with the flow. And he “swimmed” to the physics and mathematics lyceum at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev - one of several specialized schools created in the 1960s to train the scientific, engineering and technical elite. Next comes the Faculty of Physics of Shevchenko University. I entered there without exams, thanks to the Olympiads. I had good basic training, so the first two courses were quite boring to study. As a result, with several scientists from the Bogolyubov Institute of Theoretical Physics, we created a scientific and educational center where students and high school students could study topics in physics and mathematics outside the university and school curricula. My advice: the main thing is to decide on the direction of movement. Science shouldn't be a burden to you.

Typical work day

The workday begins with learning what other scientists have done. There is a website called arxiv.org, where scientists share the results of their current scientific research. On astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology, 50-100 articles appear every day, and I reread several of the most interesting ones “to the cover.” Then I look at my schedule of meetings and events, and the rest of the time I do the science itself. I write articles, process information, communicate with my students. The main equipment for me is a computer or computer cluster, where astrophysics data is processed.

Pros and cons of the profession

Science is for vain people. There are different vain people: those who have a creative streak or a humanitarian bent go into art - this is a wonderful area of realization; those who understand certain scientific points and can appeal to them go into science and can achieve a lot in it. Scientific work is very different from office work. The downside is the instability of work. In world science, scientists under 30-35 years of age, as a rule, are not given a permanent job. This is due to the fact that a scientist must first show what he is capable of. There is a certain level of competition in the academic environment that not many can withstand. Science takes a lot of time. When I concentrate on science, I can hardly think about anything else. All other areas of life suffer from this. It’s just wonderful when family and friends understand this. Science is a conscious choice; you need to understand what you are doing. This is a very big effort on yourself.

The main cost is that we look at the world in a somewhat professional way. This probably applies to all professions. We often try to find patterns in systems that a priori do not have them. For example, physicist Landau divided women by beauty using a logarithmic rating system. I think this is not correct. I treat science fiction films as works of art, but not from a scientific point of view. But you definitely begin to look at the world completely differently.

Who is the better scientist - a man or a woman?

I know many female astrophysicists at my level, and there are those above my level. If a woman dreams of a happy family life with plenty of time allotted for the family, like a man, by the way, too, then science prevents this. I know of many positive examples where high-class scientists are equally successful in family life, but this is rather an exception to the rule. And I would focus on this rather than on sexual differentiation - on the attitude towards family and free time.

Prospects for Ukrainian researchers abroad

It all depends on the person: his level of education and desire to work. In the West, as in any capitalist country, people are more eager to earn money and do business. The popularity of science, in which you need to work a lot without getting a commensurate financial result, is not at the highest level. A scientist there is often considered an eccentric and almost a social renegade. But Western countries need science because their post-industrial economy is built on high technology and innovation. They are interested in attracting scientists, creating innovations and using them, ahead of competitors. Most of this work is performed by “scientific guest workers.” There are a lot of people from China, India, the post-Soviet space, and Latin America. They agree to the conditions that the West can offer and advance the development of civilization. Ukraine has an advantage. This is due to a good, integral education system left over from Soviet times: specialized schools that provide children with a fairly high level of training. Technical faculties are not heavily affected by corruption, so students have the opportunity to gain good knowledge. Although there are a number of things that canned Soviet education cannot give children. For example, creativity, teamwork, and these qualities are also valued among scientists. But scientific training is more important.

What qualities should a future scientist have?

Thoughtfulness, corrosiveness to the problem. Everything is aimed at learning new things. If you simply pedantically follow some instructions, then most likely you will not discover anything new. There must be a flight of fancy, albeit associated with experience. And experience is gained through quality education. And, of course, honesty: do not copy other people’s work, take into account what has been done previously. Creativity, critical thinking, level of preparation, and the ability to see a complex project through to completion are also important.

It's better to start with "Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!", Richard F. Feynman. And: books by Hawking and Penrose, if you are interested in issues of space and the universe. They are more narrowly focused. There are many outstanding popularizers from science, I also recommend them, but Feynman is personally closer to me and his books are more general.

Interviewed by Daria Sukhostavets. Photos from the personal archive of Dmitry Yakubovsky, as well as Evgenia Lyulko for platfor.ma

An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial objects such as stars, planets and their satellites, comets, etc.

From Greek astronomía, from astro and nómos - law. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in physics, mathematics and chemistry (see choosing a profession based on interest in school subjects).

Astronomer- a scientist who studies celestial objects: stars, planets and their satellites, comets, etc.

Features of the profession

Astronomy is the science of the structure and development of cosmic bodies, their systems and the Universe.
Astronomer is a very rare profession.
A theoretical astronomer deals with theoretical astronomy and cosmology (the science of the birth and development of the Universe and objects in it). He summarizes the data obtained during observations.
Observational astronomers develop observational methods, obtain data, which then become the basis for scientific conclusions and hypotheses.
The specific job of an astronomer depends on the specialization. There are many areas: cosmology, celestial mechanics and stellar dynamics, astrophysics, radio astronomy, physics of galaxies, stars, astronomical instrumentation.
However, astronomy will not develop without constant development of technology. The development of new observational instruments is carried out by engineers (astronomers - “equipment specialists”).

Astronomy is closely connected with other exact sciences, primarily with mathematics, physics and some branches of mechanics, using the achievements of these sciences and, in turn, influencing their development.
The career path of a Russian astronomer is the same as in any other field of science: study at a university, graduate school, candidate's dissertation, defense, scientific work, doctoral dissertation, etc. With the receipt of a new scientific title, the qualification category also increases, from which, first of all, salary depends.

In addition to astronomy itself, there are applied specialties directly or indirectly related to this science (Space and information technology, Astronomic geodesy, Research of natural resources by aerospace means, Space and information technology).

Workplace

Russian astronomers work at the State Astronomical Institute named after. PC. Sternberg (GAISH) Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov,
Institute of Space Research,
Institute of Astronomy and Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Main (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory,
Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the North Caucasus.

Where do they teach

Astronomers are trained in physics and mechanics and mathematics departments of the country's leading universities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Ekaterinburg.
However, universal astronomers in Moscow are trained only at the astronomy department of the physics faculty Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov.