Career as Astronomer

Stream : Engineering & Mathematics
Sub Stream : Aeronautical/ Aerospace Engineering,Physics

Astronomer 

• Astronomy is an observational science which studies heavenly bodies - stars, planets, comets, asteroids as well as man-made satellites. Collect and analyze information about all celestial bodies. 
• Use the information to predict their shape and size, and also study movement, position, temperature, and brightness. 
• They study the orbital routes of all celestial bodies, both real and apparent as well as the laws of motion governing the movement. • Study their nature, constitution, and physical status
• Collect mathematical and statistical data for making predictions and for scientific work.
• Study the earth's atmosphere based on inputs from earth satellites and spacecraft.
• They use the Hubble Space Telescope, ground telescopes, spectrometers and photometers for measuring wavelengths of radiant energy and for studying light intensity.
• They may work as astrophysicists to apply knowledge of physics to the study of celestial bodies.

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 Employment Opportunities for Astronomer :

• Universities
• Research scientist
• Observatories
• Industry

Top Recruiting Companies of Astronomer :

Top Recruiting Companies :

• Indian Institute of Astrophysics
• National Space Science Center
• The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (NCRA-TIFR), Pune.

How to become Astronomer?

Path 1 :

• Std XII
Stream: Sc.PCM
• Graduation
B.Sc Phy/Maths
B.Tech
• Post Graduation
M.Sc Phy/Maths
M.Tech
• Selection Exam
IIA*/JEST**/ CSIR / UGC-NET / GATE***
• Research/ Fellowship
Ph.D./JRF
• Goal
Astronomer

Path 2 :

• Std XII
Stream: Sc PCM
• Graduation
B.Sc Phy/ Maths
B.Tech
• Postgraduation
M.Sc Phy/ Maths
M.Tech
• Entry
Joint Astronomy course****
• Research
PhD
• Goal
Astronomer

1. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) www.iiap.res.in
Ph.D. can be done full time at IIA. The entrance exam is held in November (Ad Sept) each year which is followed by an interview. Alternatively, the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is held in February. 
Research Scholars undergo one-year course work in Classical & Quantum Physics, Mathematical Techniques, Numerical Analysis & Computing, Astronomy & Astrophysics 
2. Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) -Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is conducted in February for admission to the Ph.D. program. The institutions participating in this program are : Harish- Chandra Research Institute (Formerly Mehta Research Institute of Mathematics & Mathematical Physics); Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore; Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar; Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar; Inter-University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune; Inter-University Consortium for DAE Facilities (IUC-DAEF), Indore; Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore; National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore; National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune; Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad; Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore; S N Bose Centre for Basic Natural Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata; The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc.), Chennai 
3. Inter-University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA) www. iucaa.ernet.IUCAA conducts a regular Ph.D. program. Selection is made in July through a written test and an interview. CSIR / UGC-NET / GATE exam has to be cleared within one year of admission to the Ph.D. 
4. Joint Astronomy Program (1 year) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bangalore, jointly by IISc., IIA, RRI, TIFR. The selection is in July through an interview.

Median Pay Scale/salary of Astronomer :

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 perks and allowances.

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