Expert: Philip Stahl - 9/1/2011

Question
I am in the final year of school. After school what subject should i choose to do graduation so that i can become an astronomer and may get an opportunity to work at NASA?

Answer
Hello,

First, realize astronomy is just physics applied to a space setting. Hence, all the key principles learned and mastered in physics will apply to whatever astronomical phenomenon one investigates. This may be from a basic dynamical perspective, or thermodynamic, or electro-dynamic. Hence, the most important subjects for you to take in preparation would be physics and math. (Which hopefully you've been taking lots of even before reaching your final year. If you've been following the British system of secondary education - such as implemented in much of the former Commonwealth - then you ought to have at least 4 years of physics completed by now and be ready to start Physics at A-level. The same goes for math!)

Second, opportunities to work at NASA are currently few and far between, as its budget has dwindled - part of the reason the Shuttle program was cut and 4,000 NASA specialists let go. There are now many competing projects and only a few places for specialists to man them, because of these budget issues. You'd be far more likely to enter the U.S. system as an academic, say at an institution of higher learning, university.

Thus, your best bet is to complete the B.Sc. in Physics in India, then apply to come to the U.S. as a grad student, in one of the astronomy depts.  This means likely having to take the GRE exam (the verbal and math aptitude tests) as well as the 3-hr. Physics GRE.

The main thing, if your goal is really to become an astronomer, is to pack as many physics and math courses into your higher education as possible! That should include all General Physics courses, as well as Thermodynamics, Statistical mechanics, Mechanics, E& M (Electricity and Magnetism), Quantum Mechanics and possibly Optics. Math ought to include: Calculus (or what is now often called "Analysis"), differential equations, complex analysis, linear algebra and advanced calculus.

Good luck!