why i want to be an astronomer?
145703
Because it is cool! I want to be astronomer too :) Picture yourself examining a blackhole or a comet or a double star! Or just watching the stars with huge telescope! Or analyse radio noise and try to figure out a pattern in it and discover that there was a star that is no more somewhere. Man, it is cool! :)
60227
Do you mean what are the benefits and the purpose of a astronomy degree?\n\nI have an astronomy degree.  You can work for NASA in any number of fields, or in academia.  You can do research with instrumentation, theory or research with telescope.  Of course there is teaching too.\n\nThe pay in most astronomy jobs is very good.  With a masters in astronomy you can easily make $60,000 to start.  \n\nPurpose...well its a job and you get to study and answer scientific questions.
1089164
No. You can do what you want, but  work an study a lot is the best guarantee. Don't look at the sky for your progress in life.
775144
i have only been in a place with a dark night sky a few times in my adult life, but when i was i was excited that i could see many more stars that i usually could not see.  i could also point out things and tell others about them.  i am fascinated by nature and natural science, especially astronomy.  curiosity motivates me, and i want to learn about the bodies in the universe and the evolution of those bodies.  i also want to learn about the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe as a whole.\n\none of the astronomy classes that i have had were lab at the sommers-bausch observatory in boulder, colorado.  we made silver iodide photographs with the twenty-four inch ritchey-chrétien telescope, but the most colorful sight was the trinary system albireo.  albireo b is blue.  albireo a is a binary system, but it looks golden yellow. \n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albireo
379077
Uh you might want another degree unless you just want to work on computer programs for astronomers.  A masters or preferably doctorate is practically required for most jobs as an astronomer.
712378
Get a degree in physics or engineering.  Get a good job.\nBuy a telescope (and maybe a camera) and do it as a hobby.\n\nThere are very few 'good jobs' in astronomy.  However- if you are extremely bright and love math- forget what I said and go for it.
150006
Humans have had a long relationship with astronomy. Some of these connections are described below. Some of them improved human life, and some just provided general information that helped humans understand their place in the universe and cope with the unknown. \n\n1. For millenia, astronomy was intertwined with astrology, and kings and rulers governed based on what predictions the stars made. With the dawning of the scientific revolution, right around the time of Kepler, astrology and astronomy went their separate ways, and most serious scientists discounted astrology when it was realized that it did not work as promised. \n\n2. Many calendars, including those of the Chinese, and the Incas, and the Europeans were based on astronomical observations. This enabled people to plan agricultural activities, predict the onset of various seasons, and time religious ceremonies. \n\n3. Astronomy was a huge boon to navigation in the age of exploration, and enabled seagoing mariners to travel around the world for exploration, and later for conquest and commerce. Some of the greatest expansion in wealth in human history has been associated with these activites. However, some of the greatest misery in human history is also associated with these collisions of cultures and peoples. \n\n4. Astronomy has helped us understand exactly what our place is in the universe. Humans have often been curious about how they came to be, and where they are, and this has lead to most of the great religions that have existed. These needs to understand and explain still exist, and explorations in astronomy are a natural outgrowth of these urges. \n\n5. Astronomy is one of the earliest sciences, and its investigation has lead to the creation of advanced mathematical techiques like calculus. These methods have been used in many other areas of science, including physics and chemistry, and been of tremendous use in engineering and the industrial revolution.\n\n6. The optical techniques that were pioneered in astronomy were soon turned to studying the microscopic world, leading to the understanding of disease, and huge improvements in medical treatments. \n\n7. Astronomy continues to have massive spinoffs of technology that benefit other human activities in areas like defense and computing. Many advanced technologies are developed and first applied in astronomy, and then eventually are applied in other sciences or in engineering. \n\n\nThis is a very incomplete list, obviously, and the list could be very much more detailed and much longer. However, it should give you a place to start with.
704747
I live in Washington State USA & have the same problem as you trying  to observe the stars in this land of clouds. Here is the best way. Always have your astronomical gear at the ready to transport to your favorite dark sky, higher altitude observing site...a hatchback car is nice & shouldn't call for a larger vehicle. On the spur of the moment when the skies clear, be on your way to observe! You must do it this way in a cloudy clime. If you plan for future days to observe, you will lose 75% of your nights because of clouds. Yes, this means that astronomy observing must be highly prized in your life. Don't worry. It will pay off. You will have viewpoints, emotionally, mentally & literally in your life to develop a powerful philosophy. Get ready to be surprised by the universe & life. As best you can, share the stars with a friend(who also can take off at a moments notice...ha ha ha).
401549
Because it chose me and i didn't choose it.\n\nI started in Computer Science, but Java hates me and i hate Java.  Later, I tried a bunch of different things because i couldn't decide.  I found myself going towards Physics, but i didn't want to let go of my artistic and interpretational side.\n\nSo i have a double major in Physics and English.  It's fantastic!  I'm going to be a high school physics teacher.
153148
My goal in life is to become a scientist and make important discoveries. Sadly, I have no special someone.
1124031
Nasa's site definatelly. you can have full studies in Astronomy:) and... I consider the APOD....(Astronomy Picture Of the Day)\nOne picture for everyday since 1995......with full explanation and many links....
832835
It's better to aim for the stars and hit the roof, than aim for the roof and hit the dirt.  I'd say go for it -- my cousin started studying to be a doctor in his 30s, and he's now a very happy M.D.  \n\nKnowledge like that will never go to waste, and who knows where the new contacts could lead you?
336605
Greetings,\n\nWe astronomers study many different aspects of the universe.\n\nThere are radio astronomers who study the radio waves emanating from many different objects in the universe from black holes to listening for ET.\n\nThere are astronomers who specialize in using X-rays to view different objects in the sky, such as the Chandra X-ray observatory.\n\nThere are astronomers such as myself who are amateurs that simply enjoy pointing our telescopes at objects and viewing them.\n\nCheck out the links at the bottom.\n\n-matt
203046
- Get a sky map.\n- Do some easy reading.\n- Do some naked eye study of the sky.\n- Get a pair of binoculars - telescopes at the \n  beginning is not so good - not so easy to \n  carry around - You may lose interest.\n- Join some astronomy club.\n- Attend classes, seminars, start parties.
623058
I will do it to satisfy my curiosity. A free trip in the space to discover other inhabited planets and galaxies is a dream come true. It is an occassion not to miss out but i would not go for ever because there can't be no better place than our home. I will return back to earth after the trip to my home sweet home.
730491
This is very good question. It's part-1 of a psychological personality test.   Answer to "why" will tell you "what do you want to become in life".\n\nGood luck in knowing many unknown people.
701490
Astronomy is much more than just learning the constellations.  You can teach yourself a lot about the constellations and about astronomy in general - there's lots of good books out there in the library and in book stores, or you can pick up Sky&Telescope Magazine or Astronomy Magazine (there are others, too).\n\nYou might want to find an amateur astronomy group in your area - they often have "star parties" open to the public, where you can look through other people's telescopes.  Or find out if there is a public planetarium in your area.