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stimuli stimuli
 
December 20, 2008 01:14 AM

What is the average education level of a professional astronomer?

What are the majors that most professional astronomers have?
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elly2222 elly2222
 
 December 20, 2008 08:50 AM
Ph.D.

You can major in astrophysics, or even a general physics undergrad major might be fine if it gets you into an astrophysics program for grad school.

If you want to DO interesting astronomy work, without being called and astronomer necessarily, you might be able to study something in computer science or engineering that astronomers need. NASA for example employs people who are not astronomers but who are scientists and tech experts in fields that they need. MOST astronomy jobs are not at NASA, though, so this is a big longshot.


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whidbeysea... whidbeysea...
 
December 20, 2008 01:36 AM
Phd
Source(s):
self


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stonechild stonechild
 
December 20, 2008 03:55 PM
A PhD. That is my impression from watching PBS. Or maybe they only interview PhD astronomers for their programs.
Source(s):
PBS


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mkchu84 mkchu84
 
December 21, 2008 12:12 AM
Other than in academic research, there are very few jobs that you could describe as being a professional astronomer. In that case, almost everyone in the field would have a PhD. The normal route would then be to take on a series of Post Doctoral research positions until a tenured position becomes available
Source(s):
Experience in academia


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millerj millerj
 
December 21, 2008 12:36 AM
A person who is paid to be an astronomer most certainly has a Ph.D. in an area of physics related to astronomy. It's possible that technicians who support the work of such professionals may only have a Masters degree
Source(s):
Professional experience.


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