Brian - hope you can get back to your Masters and finish
Can I ask for your thoughts on the Celestron EdgeHD telescope optics you own? Does the performance match Celestron's marketing? I am very curious about the EdgeHD series...
Dean - I'm told it's quite normal for PhD graduates to have to seek several international postdoc positions prior to finding something permanent, as I am learning - astrophysics is a very international science. It is Australia's strongest research strength, but we still at at the mercy of politicians who are blind to the numerous off-shoot benefits - technological fueled economic prosperity as well as the social intellectual prosperity. Domestically the job market for astronomers isn't great (nor is it for academics in general), but I think you've got to do it if it's something you want to do irrespective of the job prospects at the end. You would be a Professional Astronomer based on your formal education and qualifications, as is not dependent on holding a position IMO. You can conduct your own meaningful astrophysics research in many areas with an astronomy degree and a high tech 14 inch celestron and suitable high end imager or similar...
Chris - save that thought!
I think that would be a fantastic idea and a great way to spend a retirement. I'm incredibly passionate about lifelong education. When people retire they may have 20 years left on the clock for instance (or more...) - self fulfillment is important at any age (hence why people should do an astronomy degree for passion, not job prospect alone)... and we need to continue to evolve as a society to broadly see education as a desirable activity of self fulfillment and self improvement where possible across the lifespan, and not limited to any one single period of life.
Best to you all,
Mark
