PhD Buisness

[Keshdogga (Casey)]

Hello everyone I have a question realting to a possible thesis for a PhD in Astronomy. Now I know I'm a bit ahead of myself here. I'm currently finishing grade 12 looking to go on to a Bachelor Of Applied Science (Major: Physics Second Major: Astrophysics) for three years, then go for the PhD in Astronomy. My question is, does anyone know of any unknowns, false accusitions, or rather possibilities, related to Astronomy? I'm just a year 12 kid with a year 12 physics education (also with alot of research in Astronomy under his belt) and I'm sure I'll figure out something to focus on during the PhD years ahead of me but I was concerned that other than string theory and the origin of the universe there isn't much room for a PhD in this field. Can anyone help with this? I'm not asking anyone to attempt to write a thesis for me haha I'm just curious as to the possibiliteis lurking in the future.

Many thanks
Casey

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

I think you're jumping the gun a bit and need to get into the serious study and find out what research is actually being done. Just looking for the 'holes' in the current knowledge is a bad idea imo, as you're only seeing the popular science that reaches the media. The real work doesn't have the gee-whiz factor that would be newsworthy and often doesn't get talked about. I have a younger friend doing a Phd on Xray winds and sources at the moment, and she told me recently that she's found something new and different - the paper on has just been accepted. There is still heaps and heaps of what I would call ongoing regular work to be done (supernova searching, catching gamma ray bursters, calculating orbits, asteroid modeling etc). So just be patient and give it some time. If you're heading to uni you're going to be exposed all sorts of things and one of them might just grab your attention. You never know where you might end up!

[gary]

Hi Casey,

Great to see you are already thinking ahead to your PhD, which is a good mindset to have.

Believe me, when you get to that point in your academic career, your mentors
will have no shortage of PhD topic suggestions. For example, it may well be
an extension into a field your mentor is actively working on and hence access
to particular tools, instruments or techniques in which to conduct your research
may already be in place.

I know some struggle for a long time to find a topic and most struggle much,
much longer to then complete it. If you have an independent original idea
that you want to pursue, finding a supervisor can be a tough call and
you may need to think whether you move to another university at that point.
If nobody wants to be your supervisor for the idea you propose, that should
give reason to pause.

Once in a blue moon, someone lays down a
truly seminal piece of work, but for many, a PhD involves
chipping away at the coalface of the unknown and the mere act of being able
to think and work independently on a really arbitrary tough problem becomes the most beneficial
outcome in doing the PhD itself. In other words, it is a form of training.
Receiving the PhD itself can then act a right of passage and open
doors to that exclusive club of professionals where you can go on to
do even even bigger and better things.

Be sure to go to all the university open days, talk to the staff and if possible
any students that are there. Being around the right kind of people is key
and if the university you originally planned you might have gone to doesn't feel
exciting but another one does ... well, you will know which one to pick. Good luck!

[The_Cat (Jeremy)]

Hello Casey,

Here is my answer to a chap in a similar position to you. He was asking about careers in astronomy.

Here are answers to questions asked I have copied the email and pasted it here with your name.

Hi Casey,

a) What do you spend most of your time doing as an Astronomer?

b) In which occupation did you first start in before becoming an
Astronomer?

In answer to your questions (a and b) let me start by saying that I am
not an astronomer but my background is first in the mathematics of
signal processing so my skill set may be applied more in the direction
of radio astronomy also I also have a background in physics.

d) Are there many people that work alongside an Astronomer and
basically what do their jobs/positions involve?

One needs to differentiate between the tools (telescopes (radio, optical
x-ray, gamma ray etc.) used by astronomers and astronomy itself. The
tools in themselves are imposing and looking at them makes one want to
be an astronomer just to use them. The maintenance and operation of
those tools are by the specialist observatory staff who are not
astronomers. The designers of those tools are also not astronomers they
are the specialist research engineers (like myself) (I hate the term
scientist!) who design parts of these tools to make the whole function.

OK so what about the astronomers. Well these people use the tools to
collect data for their research and this is the function of the
astronomer - to do research.

e) What qualifications are required for these jobs/positions?

Astronomy is a specialist field. Notice the word "PHYSICS" in "High
Energy Astro Physics". Here we have amazing stuff and amazing
experiments - one may call these people astronomers. Then there are
planetry specialists and people trying to make sense of the universe
from MATHEMATICS of theoretical PHYSICS.

So you would like to be an astronomer. Well,

1) One must like and have an Aptitude for MATHEMATICS also one must like
and have an aptitude for PHYSICS.
2) One needs to do maths and physics in school.
3) Take an ordinary degree in both these subjects and now one starts
specialising in a branch of physics (we call astronomy).
4) Start research (leading to a PhD) in your chosen astronomical field.

f) What types of organizations employ astronomers to work for them?

Here is an excellent site that will tell you all you need to know but
were afraid to ask:

http://www.astronomy.org.au/ngn/engine.php

About education:

http://www.astronomy.org.au/ngn/engi...03&AID=1000003

After you have done your initial degrees:

http://www.astronomy.org.au/ngn/engi...058&AID=100260

What do astronomers do ? Ie. Nature of the Work

I could not put it better than this:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm

And this is for your information:

http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/



c) If you don't go university how can you still become involved &
work in Astronomy?

You have two levels here: The professional level and the amateur level.

At the professional level one will study astronomy as a post graduate
and for most part will take a position in a university - this is a very
competitive area. There are not many jobs available for the posts of
"professional astronomer" so one has to be good - very good.

Without a degree in physics / mathematics / geology (for planetry study)
/ biology etc. There are virtually no openings, sadly.

At the amateur level one is very limited as one does not have the
background required to contribute to the "professional world".

Of course if one had the required background in maths and physics (but
were not doing activities astronomical the with extra work one may take
up a special branch of astronomy.


g) How many years has it taken you to become a full Astronomer?

You will be an astronomer after you get your PhD (6 - 7 years).
Experience and maturity will hone your skills (rest of your life!!).

Topics for your PHD work:

Well look at the topics presented at the AIP conference starting 5-Dec and take your pick !!

http://www.aip2010.org.au/wp-content...Program-V3.pdf

Jerry.