Expert: Philip Stahl - 8/1/2006

Question
Hello Philip. I have always had interest in space and anything related to it. I can sit here for hours and read questions and answers on this site because a lot of it interests me and I love learning about the unknown. For something so large and so unknown I'm surprised it doesn't get as much attention as it should. Most people only seem to question things that happen here on earth. I've dreamed of someday working for NASA and doing research on planets and finding new things, I'm not exactly sure which field I would enjoy most because each one is so interesting. I'm 21 years old and currently in the Marine Corps. When I complete my contract I plan to attend college and hopefully go toward a career that I will love especially astronomy and studying the unknown. I would like to know the difficulty of becoming successful in this field of work and what schools would be the best to try to attend? I'm trying to find the best way to accomplish my goal and someday work for NASA and maybe even becoming an astronaut. Thank you for any help you may provide.

Answer
Hello,

Becoming an astronomer first of all entails acquiring a grounding in advanced math and physics - as well as numerous technical courses - all aimed at maximizing your potential. A good first glimpse of the sort of courses you can expect may be found at this Harvard University site (which is also the best place, perhaps, to get your undergraduate and even graduate grounding in astronomy)

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/hco/astro/academics/courselist.html


In these courses, as you scan them and peruse them - you will also see the detailed mathematics, physics and other pre-requisites. It is essential to fulfill all the necessary courses that a dept. (like astronomy) requires, before you can move on to postgrad work and research. Or be admitted to a NASA program as a specialist.

Take a look at the courses and ancillary requirements above first, and see if this is really what you want.

Also, it will help to write the universities of interest in advance, and make sure to have your SAT scores available. Also, find out what the entry -admission requirements are in regard to these.

Once you get past the detailed undergrad course hurdle, it isn't too difficult to find an advisor, sponsor and funding to pursue advanced work.

Good luck in your pursuit!