Expert: James Gort - 4/30/2010

Question
Sir,I'm Genny from India.I'm in 10th standard now.I have a great passion towards astronomy and would like to take it up as my future career.But I'm desperate because I don't know which course to approach after my school days.So I kindly request you to help me find an apt course which would help me to achieve my goal.Please don't fail to reply.

Answer
Hello Genny,

I am glad to hear of your interest and passion for astronomy.  To me, that is the main ingredient for success.  Keep that passion, and you will find a way to succeed.  Guaranteed.

The best way to prepare is to take as many mathematics courses as you can.  Astronomy is concerned with such diverse areas as orbital mechanics, astrophysics of stars and galaxies, and cosmology.  All of these rely heavily on mathematical tools.  For instance, cosmology makes much use of tensor analysis (for general relativity) , astrophysics uses tools such as Group Theory (for particle physics in stellar interiors), and orbital mechanics uses linear algebra and calculus.  And astronomy uses much computer simulation, so take some computer courses, too.

Combined with all the math you can take, also study physics, especially quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, relativity, and optics.  For now, try to get books on these to get some background, but get ones which are geared to your current level of mathematics.  These will only help to deepen your interest in astronomy, which is really the physics of the universe.

Finally, join an astronomy club if you can, or even visit a university and talk to astronomy professors.  They may even let you start a little observing through their telescopes.

Good luck in your future endeavors!

Prof. James Gort