Does anyone on yahoo answers have a PHD in Astronomy?

Question

I only ask this because im studying towards one and I think it would be interesting to know how many consider astronomy a hobby compared to a career!

Answer 1

I consider it a hobby.

Answer 2

No PhD here...

I'm just a struggling undergraduate physics major trying to find his way in the universe. lol

I used to hang out in the Physics section, but I got pushed out by all those whiny kids who need help with their homework... so I came here, and it turns out I know a considerable amount more than the average person about everything beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Answer 3

These people are good contributors and I believe all have PhDs.  

http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt...

http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt...

http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt...

Even if any of them don't have PhDs, you will always get top notch answers from them.

Edit: Eri, I would have mentioned you, but darn-it, you don't allow e-mail.

Answer 4

I have a PhD in Astronomy.  I don't consider Astronomy a hobby for me. Astronomy as a hobby basically means star gazing. Working as a professional astronomer means you use large telescopes from all over the world to observe whatever object your looking at. Then analyze the data and publish papers. In most cases it wont just be a case of saying "I saw this". Interpreting the data in order to understand the physics behind the phenomena is the objective. Thats the general gist of it anyway. It is absolutely feasible to have a career in astronomy. It will take time and effort, but it's worth it. Afterwards you will have to spend a few years working in 2-3 year postdoc positions, probably all over the world, but eventually you may get a fellowship or professorship somewhere. It's rare to get a full time position in astronomy until you've spent 5-10 years (usually more) postdocing. The wages tend to be quite good depending on where you go. In the UK an entry level postdoc i.e. just finished their PhD will probably earn between £20,000-£30,000.  

Shawn P-

"the chances of you making it as an astronomer alone, are slim... i'ts not a viable source of income...just like with musicians... only a few ever make it to fame, and with fame comes money."

This is not true. I have quite a comfortable lifestyle. Most people I know who did PhDs in astronomer left because they didn't want to do it. You don't have to be a genius to do it, and there are many levels, some astronomers just do observations, some do computational stuff, some theoretical. It's like any other profession, you work your way up the ladder.

Ironically enough, my main career choice if I could do it would be as a musician.

Best of luck

Answer 5

I'm finishing a PhD in physics, working in high energy astrophysics.  People who consider it a hobby don't have PhDs in it, but oddly enough many people with PhDs never considered it a hobby.  I'm one of the few actual astronomers who can point out constellations.  

Keep in mind that if you want to get a PhD in astronomy, you should be majoring in physics - taking astronomy, math, and computer science courses are good too, but physics is essential for getting into graduate school.  Good luck!

Answer 6

if it's not a hobby of yours, don't even think of making it a professsion.....

the chances of you making it as an astronomer alone, are slim... i'ts not a viable source of income...just like with musicians... only a few ever make it to fame, and with fame comes money.

Answer 7

I have a PhD in astronomy!

I am now a tenurd professor at a big state university.

As for what to do once you have a PhD - about half my peers from grad school chose to leave academia. Mostly they work in financial markets (computer modeling is a useful skill they learned along the way that applies to many more lucratve fields.)

Are you in grad school now? Are you worried about getting a job in astronomy? Or are you just not convinced it is the right career for you?

This is the best job in the world. I am more or less my own boss and work whatever hours I want (as long as I do ~60-80 hrs a week - seriously). It's hard to find a satisfying job that allows you the stretch your brain and enjoy it - so academia is marvelous. It can also be very frustrating and exhausting (especially if you have kids too) - but I don;t know what else I would want to do (apart from be an astronaut.)

Just to address shawn p's comments - astronomy jobs are not very lucrative - but they are not that badly paid. There is a need for scientists - most of my colleagues are not American born (in fact 80% of the faculty in my department are not American born!). So don;t be put off if you do want to do it.

I never really had astronomy as a hobby (i.e. I was never an amateur astronomer) and I made it!