eCosmology

What are the requirements to study Astronomy?

I have graduated from high school, and was wondering what are requirements for studying astronomy. I want to have career related to astronomy stuff.. I heard you need math and physics, but I suck in math badly. I only took math 10 at most and have not taken physics watsoever..

Public Comments

1. u need a telescope
2. If you actually want to be an astronomer (which is incredibly hard to make a living off of) I suggest you start to bulk up on advanced mathematics and physicas as you said..you current interest in it doesn't seem to show the appearence of someone who really wants to be an astronomer. Studying astronomy is a lot of hard work, observation, charting, calculating positions of bodies relative to each other and such through mathematics, and the study of the characteristics of physical law and such affecting such bodies.
3. Go for it,..... But keep it as a hobby, Math is an essential part of astronomy, later as you inprove your math skills maybe it will work out, but keep a very strong fallback cause you may need to use it.
4. Well, you heard correctly. To pursue a career in astronomy you will need strong math and physics. Math 30 is a requirement and at least Physics 10. I have 2 years of Astrophysics, and I can tell you from personal experience it involves TONS of math. You have two options: 1) Try studying up on your math and strengthen your skills in it. or 2) Give amateur astronomy a try. There is absolutely NOTHING to be ashamed of with amateur astronomy, for the record. If you enjoy astronomy and you don't enjoy math, I highly recommend getting into a local astronomy club and pursuing amateur astronomy. I can tell you from experience that amateur astronomy is a totally different facet of astronomy and just as there are things that professional astronomers know better than amateurs, there are things that amateur astronomers know that professionals don't. So go with what you are comfortable with. Just don't let that interest in astronomy fade away. It's very rewarding both professionally and/or as a hobby. :)
5. Most Astronomers are in the field of Astrophysics. You'll need to attend college, and in this field, you need to get your PhD. Most of the Astronomy positions are research based, and the aside a few exceptions, the only place research is carried out is in a research center (University). Astronomers typically have a physicists background which will consist of a lot of math and physics courses. Most schools will have you branch away from standard physics majors usually in your Junior year. They will start studying very small stuff, and you will start studying very large stuff. However, you'll still need to know "modern physics," which is what most schools call the first class in the "small stuff" category because it's here that you really learn all about energy, gravity, and all the other really neat things that separate Astronomers from hobbyists.
6. If you suck at math, you'll most definitely struggle in astronomy. If you have no experience whatsoever in physics or chemistry, you're going to suffer. Advanced math, physics and chemistry are the usual requirements. Before trying to major in astronomy, I suggest you take those classes.
7. Study the 'business' of astronomy. Selling telescopes. providing astronomy information - pictures, etc. Math and physics are vital to astronomy.