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Potential Careers Related to Astronomy

-- | June 11, 2012

Question: I’m doing a project on astronomy and one section that I’ve added is of the many potential careers you can have that’s related to astronomy. I’m also trying to add an example of an important person for each job.

I’m only using 5 careers related to this, and I have two so far; Aerospace Engineer (Neil Armstrong), and a Faculty Member at a University who teaches Physics and Astronomy (Still looking for someone as an example).

What other careers are related to astronomy (basically ANYTHING) and that have important people as examples? — Arcuz

Answer: Here are a few more careers related to astronomy that you can add to your list:

Faculty Member at a University who teaches Physics and Astronomy: You can use Saul Perlmutter, who shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the acceleration of the expansion of the universe. Perlmutter is an astrophysicist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley.
Researcher at a Federally-Funded Research Lab: Dale Frail, who is an astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro, NM. You can also use Robert W. Wilson, who is a senior scientist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and co-discoverer of the cosmic microwave background.
Astronaut: Although you already have Neil Armstrong on your list, you might want to add Karl Henize, who was a Space Shuttle astronaut who also did significant research into the emission lines from nebulae.
Musician: Just can’t help adding Brian May to your list, who is the lead guitarist for the band Queen and also has a PhD in Astronomy.
Public Outreach: There are many astronomers who provide information to the public on various science topics, including astronomy. Phil Plait is one such astronomer who does a good job of dispelling myths in astronomy with his Bad Astronomy Blog.

I could also add Software Engineer, Atmospheric Scientist, and Investment Management to your list, but I don’t have any “famous” astronomers that I could associate with these professions (even though I know of several astronomers who have settled into these professions). I hope that this answers your question.

Jeff Mangum

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