Expert: Ed - 3/4/2005

Question
Hello, my name is Mitchell, and I have a question relating to astronomy careers.  I just started college here in California, and I've always wanted a career that related to astronomy in some way.  Only, I am not good at math and would hate to go into physics or some related “technical field.”  I simply enjoy looking up at the night sky.  What careers could I pursue if I were to "live astronomy" without all the physics and technical jargon?  I still want to be the amateur type!

Answer
Mitchell,
Well, that's terrific that you love astronomy.  However, I need to let you know that, realistically, your options will be pretty limited if you don't have at least a bachelors degree in science.  

Maybe you could consider science journalism!  That's a very important, respectable way to make a contribution.  Or maybe you could work at a planetarium.  Phone your local planetarium and see if you can get involved in some way, possibly in a public outreach program.

Another interesting possibility is childrens books.  For example, the person who wrote "Curious George" also created a wonderful, beloved children's book about astronomy:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395244188/qid=1110141912/sr=1-1/r...

Hmmmm...  there are lots of local astronomy clubs, where you could get involved with "star parties," in which people get together to look at the stars at night.  Maybe you could do that.  The following page lets you click on California, and then you can find some local clubs:
http://astroplace.com/amateurs/clubs.asp

I hope this is helpful to you.  Please feel free to get back to me if you'd like more ideas, or to tell me stories about how successful you are in attempting to get into astronomy.

Keep Looking Up!
--Ed