Astronomy careers that don't require a lot of math?
you guys are skipping over the part where I said I'm bad at math no matter how hard I try. Even if I do well on the homework problems because I have my notes in front of me to guide me, I don't do well on tests because I often forget how to do the problems. It takes me longer than others to grasp anything in math. Not sure if I have a math-learning disability, but I'm very slow when it comes to math. And if I'm required to have a 3.8-4.0 GPA, that's not possible if math isn't my strong point. Skyhiker and tham153: Thank you! Those answers are just what I needed.
What should I do after 10th to make a career in astronomy or astrophysics?
First of all make sure you want to study physics or not because it wont be an easy ride, also it will take a lot of time if you want to make it bigIf you are absolutely sure then next thing is that you need to opt for science in 11th.Either do B.Sc in physics or B.Tech in EC, EE. There is no undergraduate course as of yet in India focusing on astronomy or astrophysics.After your Graduation go for M.Sc preferably by giving JAM.On clearing JAM, you can do MSc physics from IIT’s and after that go for PhD in astrophysics at a good university.Through JEST many research colleges in India offer admission for PhD like IISc ,IIA, IISER’s, ARIES,RRI. At the PhD level you get to study astronomy and astrophysics. JEST can be given after either MSc or B.Tech.There’s also a option of getting into IIST by clearing JEE-ADVANCED. From there students are directly taken by ISRO.Decide what would be best for youGood luck
Astronomy degrees?
how would you be able to get any degree in astronomy? anything that has to do with space or space travel or space studies I'm only 13 but my cousin says I should start researching because it is a hard feild to get into if you don't know anything
Can I be an astronomer without a degree?
YES.I don’t have a degree in astronomy, but I have spent a lot of time studying stars and planets. I consider myself an amateur astronomer and not a professional. (The primary difference being research vs pleasure.) Although I personally have done some small bit of research and study in astronomy and want to do more, I have an autistic 5 year old and a day job so my time is limited. Even this answer was written in chunks between conference calls.However, I read, constantly, I understand all the math for basic astronomy. I understand a lot of the physics for astrophysics. I am by no means an expert but I have no problem calling myself an astronomer. I have spent many hours gazing through telescopes at stars, planets, galaxies and clusters.Lots of amateur astronomers make discoveries from their own repeated observations. Many near earth objects have been found be amateur astronomers.So you can be an astronomer without a degree in astronomy. The internet grants access to a vast array of knowledge. Degree’s aren’t nearly as meaningful as they used to be. My degree is in psychology.I don’t consider myself a psychologist. At all. A college degree means you are capable of learning and have an understanding of a particular topic, nothing more.
What are the requirements to be an astronomer at NASA?
What would make it “worth it” to you? Is it possible? Yes. Is it heavily competitive? Yes.I’m not sure what you want to focus on: being at NASA, being an astronomer, or both. Most astronomers don’t work for NASA and most people at NASA aren’t astronomers. Most people at NASA have jobs in or supporting engineering: making the things that go up, then monitoring them once they go.If you want to be an astronomer, you need to eventually get a graduate education in astronomy, astrophysics, or physics. The differences among the three are rather arcane to me; it depends on institution and specialty. Regardless, you’ll need a physics and mathematics at the undergraduate level, and you’ll need to do very well.If you want to work for NASA, or more generally, if you want to send things into space, you need an engineering-focused education, or something related. NASA hires software engineers, for instance.Let’s assume that you are in high school. You need to prepare for college, which means you need at least the standard four years of English, four years of mathematics (algebra, geometry, algebra II/trig, precalculus, and calculus if possible), three years of science (biology, chemistry, physics), four years of foreign language, and appropriate history/social science. I’ve seen students avoid some of these to take extra classes in things that are not central to education. Those courses are fine, but not at the expense of the core.In college, you need to be in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) major. Lots of students avoid these majors. They aren’t necessarily training for a specific job that everyone in that major will get, but they share some common goals and all teach the scientific method, which is objective, formal analysis of hypotheses against experimental, empirical observations. You will need some core mathematics, probably Calculus I, II, and III, and differential equations (these are used in physics); these aren’t required by all STEM majors, so biology won’t require them, but graduate studies in something that’s physics-centric will require this.Don’t try to take 18 credits every semester; you need to understand and do well in your courses. Don’t avoid getting involved in extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Starting in your junior year, try to get involved in a professor’s research, and try to get an REU (research experience as an undergraduate) over one summer.Also, apply for NASA internships!Good luck!
How can I become an astronomer in India?
Firstly... have real passion in it. It isn't an easy job to become a scientist in this very vast and deep field. And second most important thing, have patience. If you are doing research, you should know how to keep it cool. Try to avoid negative people saying that 'research has no future'. It has a lot of scope even in INDIA and abroad. If you have the real passion, you will see your job to be a very interesting life! It won't just be a 9-5 messy job...Coming to the path: I am assuming that you have completed your 10th grade board exams. Getting into science stream is a very obvious answer. You can appear for good exams like KVPY in 11th and 12th. Cracking this exam will let you apply for IISc, best research institute in the country. I highly recommend you to target it. Also you can appear for JEE and NEST and even BIT-SAT. Your prime motto should be to get into the institutes like IITs, IISERs, BITS Pilani and NISER for integrated BS-MS course. If you don't get it... no worries. You can still pursue B.sc from other good colleges. For this field, it's very important how well focused you are on research. You can then appear for IIT-JAM to get selected into IISc or IITs for Masters degree.Co-curricular : Stay focused on your career, that's it. You can watch online lectures of many professors from awesome Universities in the world. Keep updating yourself. Try to go through as many research papers as possible in your undergraduate studies. Always try to be curious. Have your social existence as well; by this I mean try attending seminars and lectures of famous scientists, participate in Science talks, etc. In the end two things matters: Your knowledge and your ability to deliver that knowledge. All the best!
Are there any IIT institutes for astronomy/astrophysics?
I would say that this is the right time to make a brief sketch of your future career if not make the exact decision. Since you are in 9th standard, in India, and seem to have interest in Astrophysics, you might want to look at this: Career In Astronomy . But certainly, your base of Mathematics and Physics need to be strong if you really want to make it count.Indian Institute of Astrophysics is the prime authority for the subject in India. Their website will provide you almost all details on the subject and career in India.As for IITs, none of them provide Astronomy as a major/minor course, since its not a mainstream subject. But IISc Bangalore does provide some related course. Outside India, however, there are institutes which provide such courses. Their fees are usually high, but you can manage that with scholarships, by clearing a few entrance exams. Some people take up part time jobs, but those are redundant.Regarding whether IITs are compulsory for good future career , the answer is both YES and NO. It depends on what are you trying to achieve in life ?A high paying job with little emphasis on research, or an academically/scientifically challenging task with maybe, a low salary ? If you are looking for the first one, IITs, NITs, or other Engineering institutes should be your target. The curriculum at these institutes are more technical (or job oriented) and somewhat less research oriented. Otherwise you should look enrol in a Science course. There are brilliant institutes in India such as IISc, IISER etc, which are at par with the popularity of IITs (sometimes better too), though their course structures are substantially different. Doing Class 11 & 12 from outside India will make almost no difference actually. When you have cleared your Higher Secondary, do some background check and enroll in a reputed institute in India/abroad (make sure to enrol in the right course too, depending on what are YOUR goals, do not blindly copy others). Today's world demands talent and capability, hence if you have the "thunder" within, you will surely achieve your goal in due time. There is one technical jargon you need to correct: you do not say "IIT institutes" rather just IIT, since the word "institute" is already included in the abbreviation of IIT.