Astronomy

Introduction: Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, and galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere (such as the cosmic background radiation).

It is concerned with the evolution, physics, chemistry, meteorology, and motion of celestial objects, as well as the formation and development of the universe.

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences.

Astronomers of early civilizations performed methodical observations of the night sky, and astronomical artifacts have been found from much earlier periods.

However, the invention of the telescope was required before astronomy was able to develop into a modern science.

Historically, astronomy has included disciplines as diverse as astrometry, celestial navigation, observational astronomy, the making of calendars, and even, at one time, astrology, but professional astronomy is nowadays often considered to be identical with astrophysics.

Skills: Analytical Skills: Physicists and Astronomers need to think logically in order to carry out scientific experiments and studies. They must be precise and accurate in their analyses because errors could invalidate their research.

Communication Skills: Physicists & Astronomers present their research at scientific conferences, to the public, or to government & business leaders. Physicists and Astronomer write technical reports that may be published in scientific journals. They also write proposals for research funding.

Critical thinking skills: Physicists & Astronomers must carefully evaluate their own work & the work of others. They must determine whether results & conclusions are accurate and based on sound science.

Curiosity: Physicists & Astronomers work in fields that are on the cutting edge of technology. They must be very keen to learn continuously throughout their careers in order to keep up with advances in a wide range of technical subjects.

Interpersonal skills: Physicists & Astronomers must collaborate extensively with others in both academic & industrial research contexts. They need to work well with others toward a common goal. Interpersonal skills also should help researchers secure funding for their projects.

Math skills: Physicists & Astronomers perform complex calculations involving calculus, geometry, algebra and other areas of math. They must express their research in mathematical terms.

Problem solving skills: Physicists & Astronomers use scientific observation & analysis, as well as creative thinking, to solve complex scientific problems. Physicists & Astronomers may need to redesign their approach & find a solution when an experiment or theory fails to produce the needed information or result.

Self -Discipline: Physicists & Astronomers need to stay motivated, since they spend a lot of time analyzing large datasets to try to discern patterns that will yield information. This work requires the ability to focus for long periods.

Eligibility & Course areas: A doctoral degree is the usual educational requirement to become an astronomer, since most of the work tends to be related to research and development.

Those who opt for this field, should pass their plus two examination under the science stream, specially in physics and math's. For pursuing a career in theoretical or observational astronomy one may go through the science stream after plus two. Since universities offering undergraduate programme in Astronomy are rarely found, one can join for a major/ honours in Physics with Mathematics as a subsidiary subject. Thereafter, take a master's degree in Physics or Astronomy. After the successful completion of MSc, one can do specialization in astronomy leading to Ph. D. which enables one to become an astronomer/ astronaut/ astrophysicist or a scientist/ research officer etc. in the field of space research.

For doing Ph.D, which is mandatory to do research, one should appear for the Joint Entrance Screening Test(JEST) examination.

For pursuing a career in Instrumentation/ Experimental Astronomy, after plus two one can go for Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electrical / Electronics/ Electrical Communications. An engineer with a B. Tech or BE degree could also enter the field as a research scholar.

Top Colleges in India:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT, New Delhi)

Indian Centre for Space Physics, Kolkata

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) - Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Mumbai

MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore

Shivaji University, Kolhapur

Centre for Earth Atmosphere & Weather Modification Technologies (CEA & WMT), Hyderabad.

Savitribai Phule Pune University : Department of Atmospheric & Space Sciences, Pune.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) : Department of Physics, Bangalore.

Cochin University of Science & Technology: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Kochi.

Raman Research Institute, Bangalore

Career Prospects:

An acute need for young scientists in the field of Astronomy is present. The following possibilities are open for a career for a physics / mathematics / engineering graduate with a specialization or a Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Research Scientist:

Several research institutes and government organizations employ research scientists in various academic grades for research oriented programmes.

University Faculty:

There will be more openings in the universities, especially in physics departments, for specialists in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Industry:

Experience with sophisticated astronomical instrumentation and the expertise gained in computer programming and handling data can serve as valuable assets for jobs in industry.

Challenges in India:

Inactivity in the University sector:

That’s because of the inactivity in the university sector. The research institutions cannot really grow either in number or in size beyond a point. It’ll be very easy to set up three more IUCAAs, it’s not such an expensive thing. But the point is: where do we get these world class astronomers from? The only way you can get them is from universities. Suppose we get lot of bright young students and they do their PhDs with us, then what would happen with them afterwards? Would we put them all in a plane and fly to California, or will we want to put them back in the Indian system? If we want to put them back in the Indian system, these bright people, who are world-beaters, should be able to find a dignified job in the universities. The universities should be competing with the world’s best companies to hire the best talent. But we all know that’s not happening. And that’s why we’re trying to involve universities in various programmes.

Access to state-of-the-art facilities:

The one great facility is the giant metre wave radio telescope run by the TIFR’s National Centre for Radio Astrophysics. That’s one of the great radio telescopes currently operating. And people from all over the world come to use it. But we don’t have a comparable facility in the optical domain. What it means is that either we can do theoretical work from India, or if we want to go beyond the domain of radio astronomy or even at high frequencies in radio astronomy, we would necessarily have to use telescopes abroad. If those installations were present in India, Indian astronomy would become much more dynamic. Problems also exist in the university sector. There is a vast pool of youngsters in universities, which has not been effectively used. And that is one of the problems with Indian astronomy.

Remuneration: The remuneration depends on the aspects of work, kind of organization and experience in the field. As a beginner in the research work, a junior can earn a monthly stipend of approximately Rs.10,000 per month.

Government bodies and research institutes employ astronomers who are paid high salaries with other perk and allowances.