Career As An Astronomer
The write up is to guide students who participate in planetarium outreach India based that is mobile planetarium in schools and colleges.
Astronomy (Astronomia = astron + nomos, literally - law of the stars.) is the scientific study of the Universe. The study of the Universe has a long history involving Religion, Philosophy and Science. Whatever we see through a telescope is universe and whatever we see through a microscope is also universe. Universe is everything. Astronomy is the study of the Universe. Genesis of science lies in Astronomy. It has many branches like Positional Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmology, etc. People who follow astronomy are called astronomers. Astronomers can be professional as well as Amateurs (hobbyist).
A high level of intelligence, mathematical ability, research aptitude and computer proficiency are some of the personal qualities required for a career in Astronomy / space science. One has to be also academically good; a science student in Sr. Secondary and a graduate in Physics and /or Mathematics. In Masters one has to opt for Astronomy or Astro - physics or Space Science and subsequently go for a Ph.D. It is advisable to qualify JRF (Junior Research Fellowships of the University Grants Commission - UGC) or JEST (Joint Entrance Screening Test) for PhD. admission in a top research institute / Observatory / University.
Engineering students (BE/ B.Tech / M.E / M.Tech) who have qualified JEST and have high percentile in GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) get admission after an interview in Ph.D in Astronomy. Engineering graduates (such as Instrumentation, Signal Processing) and Students with M.Sc. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Science can also work in astronomical organisations.
Astronomers generally work in research Institutes, Space Organisations, Observatories, Universities, Planetaria, and Science Museums. Those who work in Planetaria and Science Museums have to be Science Communicators also. Astronomy is a relatively small field, only a few thousand individuals are being employed worldwide. Only individuals with high quality education and interest will be able to find a position in such a popular, but small field. To know more:
http://www.iucaa.ernet.in/~scipop/beastronomer.html
Some major Indian research institutes offering PhD. programs and job opportunities in Astronomy, Astrophysics and other related areas are:
INSTITUTES'S NAME LOCATION SUBJECTS
Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bangalore Astronomy And Astrophysics
Harish Chandra Research Allahabad Astrophysics
Inter University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics - IUCAA Pune Physics, Astronomy & Astrophsics
National Center for Radio Astrophysics - Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Pune Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics
Physical Research Laboratory Ahmedabad Physics, Space & Atmospheric Sciences, Astronomy, Astrophysics & Solar Physics, Planetary and Geosciences
Raman Research Institute of Astrophysics Bangalore Astronomy and Astrophysics
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism Mumbai Atmospheric & Space Science
Some other good higher studies options for B.Sc. Physics and Mathematics graduates are M.Sc. Meteorology, M.Sc. Nuclear Physics and M.Sc. Space Physics. These courses are available in the following universities:
INSTITUTES'S NAME LOCATION SUBJECTS
The Cochin University of Science Cochin M.Sc. Metrology and Atmospheric Science
Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra - Haryana M.Sc. Atmospheric Science
Karnataka University Dharward M.Sc. Atomic and Molecular Physics & M.Sc. Nuclear Physics
Andhra University Visakhapatanam M.Sc. Meteorology, M.Sc, Nuclear physics and M.Sc, Space physics
Manon Maniam Sundaranar Tirunalveli M.Sc. Nuclear physics University
The American Astronomical Society's brochure A New Universe to Explore is about Careers in Astronomy. To know more:
http://www.astronomynotes.com/careers/AAS-careerbrochure-2009.pdf