What does an astronomer even do? A very common question asked that is often poorly answered due to misconceptions about the field. Yes, we do observe the stars, but the job is far from sitting around in a chair all day looking at a telescope. As an astronomy major, you learn math - a lot of it. There is a lot of space that we unfortunately just do not have much access to, and instead of being able to go there and observe we are forced to extrapolate what we can from long distance pictures. This is done through modeling - the use of physics and mathematics to explain what we see. So as an astronomy major, it is necessary to pick up upper level math and physics, and even a major in those subjects if desired. Once all of this has been accomplished, it is put into practice through a research position, usually at a university. Here astronomers take what they already know and apply it to new ideas and creative concepts in an attempt to learn more. The field driven almost strictly by innovation. No successful astronomer does what others already have, they need be original.
It is quite difficult to cherry pick astronomers and call them the "best." Astronomy is not an individual sport; it is a team effort. No one person does all the work and gets the whole claim to fame. Perhaps an astronomer will be integral to a project, but only among other integral researchers. In the field of astronomy, it is not the people you hear about, it is the projects as a whole.
Being a research heavy field, astronomy is driven by the numerous scientific journals through which it publicizes its work. The ones that stand out include: the Annual Review published from Palo Alto California, Reviews of Modern Physics released exclusively online, and Astronomy and Astrophysics published out of The European Southern Observatory. Each provides information integral to research across the globe. It is not uncommon for an astronomer to start off each day reading new articles published in various journals in order to keep updated. Research breeds other research in this field, so without adequate journals to publish in, innovation would be greatly hindered.
I found it compelling how every astronomer must be unique and contribute to the field in a way of discovery and research that further advances our knowledge. It seems like a very refreshing and high-intensity career! As a math major myself, I think it's really great how much math and problem solving is involved in astronomy as well as how most of the research is applied rather than actually seen and touched. All these facts were points I hadn't considered before. Why type of specific advancements have these groups made in the past 10 years?
ReplyDeleteI did not realize how much math was involved in astronomy. It was also fascinating to learn how much innovation goes into being an astronomer. I was one of those people who thought astronomers just looked at stars.
ReplyDeleteI never would have expected astronomy to involve such a high level of math and physics, i always just thought of it as people looking for objects in space with big telescopes. Your post mad me wonder about what the processes are for research in the field and what advances have been made recently.
ReplyDelete(Potential) fellow astronomer here, What do you think astronomy's major focus is going to shift to in the coming years? Do you think it continues a theoretical heavy basis? Also very well written for clearing up the misconceptions of this intriguing subject.
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