Astronomers

Also Called:

Astronomer,

Astronomy Outreach Coordinator,

Astrophysicist,

Research Astrophysicist

What they do: Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

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Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Career Cluster

What do they typically do on the job?

  • Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
  • Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
  • Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

Innovation

Perseverance

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Integrity

Attention to Detail

Interests

Career interests describe the perspectives and interests of people who enjoy the type of work involved in this career.

Discover what your interests are by taking the Interest Profiler Quiz

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Investigative

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Realistic

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Conventional

Knowledge

People who want to pursue this career have knowledge in these areas.

Math and Science

  • Physics

  • Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Engineering and Technology

  • Computers and electronics

  • Product and service development

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Education and Training

  • Teaching and course design

Abilities

Whether you have received formal training or not, these types of abilities are helpful in this career.

Verbal

  • Communicate by speaking

  • Communicate by writing

Math

  • Add, subtract, multiply, or divide

  • Choose the right type of math to solve a problem

Ideas and Logic

  • Make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

  • Use rules to solve problems

Visual Understanding

  • See hidden patterns

Skills

People who want to pursue this career have skills in these areas.

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information

  • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Work Values

Work values describe how your core beliefs align with those commonly needed for this career.

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.

Independence

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

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.

Does this sound like something you'd like to do?

1. Do some research
  • Identify how your interests, values, and strengths match this occupation
  • Talk to someone who works in this field or spend a day job shadowing
  • Use the colleges and training directory to explore programs related to this career
2. Plan your next move
  • Talk to your college and career counselor or school admissions staff
  • Visit Idaho Launch
  • Search for available Astronomers jobs on Idaho Works

Data for NSI career cards comes from the following: Idaho Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, MyNextMove, and Career OneStop