Astronomers
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Tasks Include:
- Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
- Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.
- Direct the operations of a planetarium.
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- Raise funds for scientific research.
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
- Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
- Review scientific proposals and research papers.
- Calculate orbits and determine sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.
- Serve on professional panels and committees.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: 0.0%
National: +11.0%
Education
Post-Doctoral Training
Job Zone:
Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Average Earnings:
National
$93,340.00
State
No Data
Regional
Astronomers
Description
| Career Cluster: | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
|
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Education
Required Level of Education
- Post-Doctoral Training = 60.61%
- Doctoral Degree = 30.30%
- Master's Degree = 9.09%
Related Work Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 42.42%
- None = 24.24%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 18.18%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 9.09%
- Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years = 3.03%
- Over 10 years = 3.03%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- None = 75.00%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 9.38%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 9.38%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 3.12%
- Up to and including 1 month = 3.12%
On-the-Job Training
- None or short demonstration = 46.88%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 15.62%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 9.38%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 9.38%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 6.25%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 6.25%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 3.12%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 3.12%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
- Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.
- Direct the operations of a planetarium.
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- Raise funds for scientific research.
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
- Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
- Review scientific proposals and research papers.
- Calculate orbits and determine sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Serve on professional panels and committees.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Tools and Technology
Tools Include:
- Atomic absorption AA spectrometers (Atomic absorption AA spectroscopes)
- Telescopes (Automated telescopes)
- Laboratory mills (Ball mills)
- Digital readout recorders (Baseband recorders)
- Telescopes (Charge-coupled device CCD imagers)
- Cryostats
- Desktop computers
- Calorimeters (Differential scanning calorimeters)
- Telescopes (Dobsonian telescopes)
- Radarbased surveillance systems (Doppler Rayleigh laser imaging ranging and detecting LIDAR systems)
- Spectrometers (Ebert-Fastie spectrometers)
- Spectrometers (Echelle spectrometers)
- Ionization chambers (Electron beam ion traps EBIT)
- Telescopes (European VLBI Network EVN telescopes)
- Infrared spectrometers (Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers)
- Binoculars (High powered binoculars)
- Spectrographs (High resolution spectrographs)
- Interferometers
- Notebook computers (Laptop computers)
- Radarbased surveillance systems (Laser imaging detection and ranging LIDAR systems)
- Spectrographs (Low resolution imaging spectrographs)
- Spectrographs (Multi-object spectrographs MOS)
- Spectrometers (Near-infrared imagers and spectrometers NIRI)
- Spectrometers (Near-infrared integral field spectrometers)
- Interferometers (Optical interferometers)
- Telescopes (Optical telescopes)
- Personal computers
- Photometers
- Radio frequency transmitters or receivers (Planetary radar transmitters)
- Spectrometers (Pulsar processors)
- Radio antennas
- Telescopes (Radio telescopes)
- Telescopes (Reflector telescopes)
- Telescopes (Refracting telescopes)
- Radarbased surveillance systems (Resonance fluorescence laser imaging detection and ranging LIDAR systems)
- Telescopes (Scanning telescopes)
- Telescopes (Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes)
- Calculators or accessories (Scientific calculators)
- Telescopes (Single-dish radio telescopes)
- Polarizers (Solar telescope filters)
- Telescopes (Solar telescopes)
- Spectrometers (Spectroscopes)
- Laboratory evaporators (Thermal evaporators)
- Photometers (Tilting filter photometers)
- Telescopes (Very large array VLA telescopes)
- Telescopes (Very long baseline array VLBA telescopes)
- Digital cameras (Wide-field mosaic charge-coupled device CCD cameras)
- Spectrometers (Wideband pulsar processors)
- X ray diffraction equipment (X ray diffractometers)
Technologies Include:
- Analytical or scientific software
- Adaptive optics AO simulation software
- Analyz
- Astronomical Image Processing for Windows AIP4WIN
- Astronomical Image Processing System AIPS
- Astronomical information processing system AIPS++
- Data reduction software
- Diffraction Limited MaxIm DL
- European Southern Observatory Munich Image Data Analysis System ESO-MIDAS
- MSB Software Astroart
- Multipurpose Interactive Image Processing System MIIPS
- Software Bisque CCDSoft
- Starcal
- Visual Numerics PV-WAVE
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spectroscopy databases
- Development environment software
- Abstraction plus reference plus synthesis A++
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Interface definition language IDL
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Avis Fits Viewer
- IRIS
- Internet browser software
- Web browser software
- Object or component oriented development software
- C++
- Python
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Special Requirements
Education and training
A Ph.D. degree in physics or closely related fiends is typically required for basic research positions, independent research in industry, faculty positions, and advancement to managerial positions. This prepares students for a career in research through rigorous training in theory, methodology, and mathematics. Most physicists specialize in a subfield during graduate school and continue working in that area afterwards.
Additional experience and training in a postdoctoral research appointment, although not required, is important for physicists and astronomers aspiring to permanent positions in basic research in universities and government laboratories. Many physics and astronomy Ph.D. holders ultimately teach at the college or university level.
Master’s degree holders usually do not qualify for basic research positions, but may qualify for many kinds of jobs requiring a physics background, including positions in manufacturing and applied research and development. Increasingly, many master’s degree programs are specifically preparing students for physics-related research and development that does not require a Ph.D. degree. These programs teach students specific research skills that can be used in private-industry jobs. In addition, a master’s degree coupled with State certification usually qualifies one for teaching jobs in high schools or at 2-year colleges.
Those with bachelor’s degrees in physics are rarely qualified to fill positions in research or in teaching at the college level. They are, however, usually qualified to work as technicians or research assistants in engineering-related areas, in software development and other scientific fields, or in setting up computer networks and sophisticated laboratory equipment. Increasingly, some may qualify for applied research jobs in private industry or take on nontraditional physics roles, often in computer science, such as systems analysts or database administrators. Some become science teachers in secondary schools.
Holders of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in astronomy often enter an unrelated field. However, they are also qualified to work in planetariums running science shows, to assist astronomers doing research, and to operate space-based and ground-based telescopes and other astronomical instrumentation.
About 760 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in physics. Undergraduate programs provide a broad background in the natural sciences and mathematics. Typical physics courses include electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, atomic physics, and quantum mechanics.
Approximately 185 colleges and universities have departments offering Ph.D. degrees in physics; about 70 additional colleges offer a master’s as their highest degree in physics. Graduate students usually concentrate in a subfield of physics, such as elementary particles or condensed matter. Many begin studying for their doctorate immediately after receiving their bachelor’s degree.
About 80 universities grant degrees in astronomy, either through an astronomy, physics, or combined physics-astronomy department. Currently, about 40 astronomy departments are combined with physics departments, and the same number are administered separately. With about 40 doctoral programs in astronomy, applicants face considerable competition for available slots. Those planning a career in the subject should have a strong physics background. In fact, an undergraduate degree in either physics or astronomy is excellent preparation, followed by a Ph.D. in astronomy.
Many physics and astronomy Ph.D. holders begin their careers in a postdoctoral research position, in which they may work with experienced physicists as they continue to learn about their specialties or develop a broader understanding of related areas of research. Initial work may be under the close supervision of senior scientists. As they gain experience, physicists perform increasingly complex tasks and achieve greater independence in their work. Experience, either in academic laboratories or through internships, fellowships, or work-study programs in industry, also is useful. Some employers of research physicists, particularly in the information technology industry, prefer to hire individuals with several years of postdoctoral experience.
Other qualifications
Mathematical ability, problem-solving and analytical skills, an inquisitive mind, imagination, and initiative are important traits for anyone planning a career in physics or astronomy. Prospective physicists who hope to work in industrial laboratories applying physics knowledge to practical problems should broaden their educational background to include courses outside of physics, such as economics, information technology, and business management. Good oral and written communication skills also are important because many physicists work as part of a team, write research papers or proposals, or have contact with clients or customers with non-physics backgrounds.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
Astronomers
Internships
American Museum of Natural History
http://research.amnh.org/physsci/reu2003.html
The Division of Physical Sciences at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, through its Departments of Astrophysics and Earth and Planetary Sciences, is pleased to announce a new program for Research Experiences for Undergraduates.
Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium
http://astro.swarthmore.edu/knac/
KNAC faculty host undergraduate research interns each summer as part of our NSF/REU program. The REU program runs for 10 weeks, with the start date determined by each individual faculty member. Stipends and housing allowances total approximately $4000 per student with small variations depending on the local rate at each host school.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
P.O. Box 26732
Tucson, AZ 85726-6732
Phone: (520) 318-8230
http://www.noao.edu/kpno/reu/
Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a division of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), has six research assistant positions through the NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program.
Montana State University
http://solar.physics.montana.edu/reu/
The Solar Physics research group of the Montana State University Department of Physics will offer 6 - 10 REU positions during summer 2005. Projects in this Research Experience for Undergraduates program range from research in solar magneto-hydrodynamics and plasma physics, to space instrument development, to analysis of data from space missions such as Yohkoh, TRACE, and RHESSI and ground-based observatories.Stipends will be $3700 plus a $300 food allowance for the ten week program. Travel costs to and from Bozeman are covered and university residence hall lodging is provided. For non-US participants, support for travel costs is limited to the amount of economy roundtrip airfare from JFK/New York. Participants must be full-time undergraduates, typically finishing their sophomore or junior years.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
Astronomers
Additional Resources
General information on career opportunities in physics is available from:
American Institute of Physics
Career Services Division and Education and Employment Division
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3843
http://www.aip.org
The American Physical Society
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3844
http://www.aps.org
Northern Virginia Astronomy Club
Fairfax, VA 22031
http://www.novac.com
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
Astronomers
Knowledge
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 100.00 | Physics | Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes. |
| 97.75 | Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| 84.00 | Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| 73.50 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
| 62.00 | Education and Training | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
| 57.50 | Engineering and Technology | Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
| 53.75 | Chemistry | Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Skills
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 81.25 | Science | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| 78.00 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
| 78.00 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
| 78.00 | Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| 75.00 | Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| 75.00 | Mathematics | Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| 72.00 | Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| 72.00 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| 65.50 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| 59.50 | Learning Strategies | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
| 59.50 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| 56.25 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| 53.00 | Service Orientation | Actively looking for ways to help people. |
| 53.00 | Instructing | Teaching others how to do something. |
| 53.00 | Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| 53.00 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| 53.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| 50.00 | Systems Analysis | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Abilities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 78.00 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
| 78.00 | Mathematical Reasoning | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. |
| 78.00 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
| 75.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| 75.00 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| 75.00 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
| 75.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| 75.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
| 72.00 | Number Facility | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. |
| 68.75 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
| 68.75 | Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
| 65.50 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
| 65.50 | Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
| 62.50 | Far Vision | The ability to see details at a distance. |
| 62.50 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
| 62.50 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
| 59.50 | Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
| 59.50 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
| 59.50 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
| 50.00 | Visual Color Discrimination | The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. |
| 50.00 | Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
| 50.00 | Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
| 50.00 | Memorization | The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Work Activities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 98.50 | Interacting With Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| 97.00 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| 96.25 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| 94.75 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| 93.25 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| 89.50 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| 87.00 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| 82.50 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| 81.00 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| 77.25 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| 75.75 | Training and Teaching Others | Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| 70.25 | Developing Objectives and Strategies | Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| 69.75 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| 67.50 | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| 66.75 | Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| 65.25 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| 53.00 | Coaching and Developing Others | Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
| 52.25 | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates | Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
| 50.75 | Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| 50.00 | Scheduling Work and Activities | Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Work Styles
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 96.25 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
| 90.25 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
| 89.50 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
| 88.75 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
| 87.00 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
| 86.25 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
| 83.25 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
| 78.00 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
| 63.75 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
| 62.00 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. |
| 62.00 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
| 59.75 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
| 57.50 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Work Values
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 83.33 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| 77.83 | Recognition | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
| 77.83 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
| 75.00 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Work Context
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 100.00 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
| 98.20 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
| 97.60 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| 88.20 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
| 86.00 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| 85.40 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
| 85.40 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
| 82.40 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
| 78.80 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| 72.20 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
| 68.40 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
| 66.20 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
| 66.00 | Public Speaking | How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job? |
| 65.60 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
| 60.00 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
| 59.40 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company? |
| 55.00 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Job Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, wildlife biologists, school psychologists, surgeons, treasurers, and controllers.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Earnings Benefits
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $50,440.00 | $101,630.00 | $163,950.00 |
| Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
| Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Astronomers
Employment Projections
| National | 2010 | 2020 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2,200 | 2,500 | + 11.0% |
| State | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Virginia | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Region | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Bay Consortium | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Piedmont Workforce | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.
Astronomers
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Careers in Science and Math Pathway:
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
View Videos
The following videos are available for this occupation:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (4.20 Mb)
- Astronomers (3.45 Mb)
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.
Astronomers
Military Training
There are no related military occupations for this occupation.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center.
Astronomers
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Titles
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Astronomer
- Astronomy Department Chair
- Astronomy Professor
- Astrophysicist
- Lunar and Planetary Institute Director
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory Director
- Observatory Director
- Physics and Astronomy Professor
- Physics Professor
- Professor
- Research Scientist
- Scientist
- Space Sciences Director
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Astronomers
Related Schools
- George Mason University
- Hampton University
- University of Virginia-Main Campus