Astrophysicist
An astrophysicist is a scientist who studies the physical properties of celestial bodies and the universe at large, combining principles of physics and astronomy. They conduct research to understand the composition and behavior of cosmic particles and matter, utilizing data gathered from both Earth-based and space-based telescopes. Astrophysicists may specialize in various subfields, including theoretical astrophysics, high-energy astrophysics, and the study of exoplanets. To enter the field, individuals typically need a PhD, and a solid foundation in natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science is essential. Their work often involves analyzing complex data, developing new research models, and publishing their findings in scientific journals.
The career outlook for astrophysicists is positive, with a projected 9% growth in employment opportunities in the coming years. Their earnings are competitive, with a median salary of approximately $139,220 in the United States as of 2023, though this can vary significantly based on the type of institution and level of experience. Astrophysicists often work in universities, research institutions, and governmental agencies, and they play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the universe. Collaboration on large-scale projects, such as those involving international partnerships, is common, reflecting the interconnected nature of contemporary astrophysical research.
Astrophysicist
Earnings (Yearly Median): $139,220 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)
Employment and Outlook: 5% (Faster than average) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)
O*NET-SOC Code: 19-2011.00
Related Career Clusters: Education & Training; Government & Public Administration; Information Technology
Scope of Work
Astrophysicists research the physical properties of the universe beyond the earth. In their work, astrophysicists apply the principles of physics to the discipline of astronomy. Astrophysicists seek to enlarge humanity's understanding of what celestial bodies and cosmic particles and matter are made of, and how the universe and its parts operate. For their research, astrophysicists rely on analyses of data provided to them via observation of phenomena such as electromagnetic radiation, cosmic ray particles, neutrinos, and antineutrinos. This data is captured by both earthbound and space-based telescopes and other detectors. Astrophysicists may participate in the design and testing of measuring instruments. Some astrophysicists focus on theoretical astrophysics, developing models for describing physical processes and properties of the cosmos, and aligning their models with freshly discovered data.
Education and Coursework
A person desiring to become an astrophysicist should be willing to earn a PhD. While it is possible and common to find employment with a bachelor's degree in astronomy, or a master's degree in astronomy or astrophysics, without a PhD one cannot expect to pursue a research career in the field.
In high school, classes should be taken in the natural sciences, especially in physics, as well as classes in mathematics and computer science. A love of astronomy and an interest in the universe serves as strong motivation to pursue a career as an astrophysicist. If a high school or a community has an astronomy club, it is helpful for the student to join. Even though direct physical observation of celestial bodies is being increasingly replaced by computer-based analysis, familiarity with the basic tool of astronomy, the telescope, is very useful.
Many colleges and universities have departments granting bachelor's degrees in astronomy, with some specifically offering degrees in astronomy and physics. This combination is of special value because, traditionally, many astrophysicists earned their bachelor's degree in physics. A double major in astronomy and physics is another option.
Undergraduate courses should cover subjects such as general astronomy, as well as advanced courses in planetary physics, stellar and galactic astrophysics, and cosmology. Students need to focus strongly on physics. Within this subject, courses in classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, and thermodynamics are important. A solid understanding of advanced mathematics is indispensable for astrophysicists. Above average skills in computer science are necessary. Often, astrophysicists are expected to write their own computer programs to analyze and model their data.
At the postgraduate level, students begin to specialize in a particular branch of astrophysics. They should develop a close research relationship with a faculty mentor. Possible subfields to specialize in include topics in high energy astrophysics, laboratory astrophysics, or heliophysics. While some students graduate with a master's degree, the great majority of astrophysicists pursue their PhD. Postgraduate work to obtain a PhD in astrophysics, through a contribution of original research, typically takes students about five to seven years. Students can also pursue PhDs in physics with their theses focused on astrophysics.
Career Enhancement and Training
A majority of those who earned their PhDs in astronomy or astrophysics take postdoctoral positions afterward. Typically this choice is pragmatic, because the postdoctoral experience is seen as a required step toward a desirable permanent position. Other common reasons for obtaining a PhD include obtaining more research experience in the field and working with a chosen senior scientist or research team. Many postdoctoral appointments are for three years, though some are for two years or less.
As a postdoctoral researcher—or as an astrophysicist hired for a potentially permanent position directly after earning a PhD—presenting original research at conferences and in professional journals is essential, whether one's own research or from a combined effort with a team. Conferences also provide necessary opportunities for networking. These conferences are often organized by professional societies, such as the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the American Institute of Physics (AIP), and the American Physical Society (APS). Membership in these organizations is therefore a necessary part of advancing one's career.
Daily Tasks and Technology
As astrophysicists advance in their careers, they receive more opportunities to develop their own research goals and formulate their own theories. Research in astrophysics is very diverse. It can range, for instance, from articulating a theory explaining the dynamics of solar wind or the composition of exoplanets—also called extrasolar planets, meaning outside the solar system—to searching for evidence of dark matter in the universe.
Once an astrophysicist is committed to a research project, whether as principal investigator or as a member of a research team—which is generally the case for junior astrophysicists—data analysis becomes a daily task. Data comes from a variety of earthbound and increasingly space-based telescopes and measuring devices. There is a professional competition to gain access time to work with the world's largest telescopes, such as the Twin Keck telescopes on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, or space telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Access to such major instruments is a highlight in the lives of many astrophysicists.
Due to remote data transmission, astrophysicists need to spend less and less time at actual telescopes or research centers controlling space-based measurement devices. This also means that data gathered by telescopes at night can be analyzed during the day.
The more senior an astrophysicist becomes, the more time has to be devoted to writing grant applications and pursuing funding for expensive astrophysical instruments. Participation in the development and design of these instruments is another task for some astrophysicists. They are also expected to publish the results of their research and review the work of colleagues. Those working in academia teach courses and mentor their postgraduate students.
Astrophysicists work daily with advanced products of computer and information technology. They operate with analytical and scientific software and often write their own programs. Astrophysicists use a variety of measuring instruments, ranging from those at their own research institutions, to those at major national and international installations, to those in space.
Earnings and Employment Outlook
In the United States, the primary employers of astrophysicists are universities and public research institutions. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that from 2018 to 2028, employment of physicists and astronomers would rise by 9 percent. Incorporating retirement and attrition, the BLS predicted that this would translate into approximately 1,900 new job openings for astronomers and astrophysicists during that time period.
According to the BLS, the median salary for astronomers was $139,220 in 2023. There was a considerable bandwidth, with the top 10 percent earning above $181,510 and the bottom 10 percent earning below $63,390. One cause is the high number of postdoctoral researchers. BLS data also shows a considerable gap between university and government salaries: the 2022 median wage for astronomers at institutions of higher education was $81,920, compared to $158,370 with the federal government.
Related Occupations
• Astronomers:Astronomers have traditionally studied the motions, positions, and brightness of celestial objects, as well as observed celestial events such as eclipses; astronomers are less focused on the physical properties of the universe.
• Natural Sciences Managers: Natural sciences managers are often recruited from among senior scientists to lead the work of other scientists and manage large projects or programs, often at government agencies; this generally comes with a large salary increase.
• Physicists:Physicists study the physical properties of life and matter, often in the form of basic research or applied research in industry positions.
• Biophysicists and Biochemists:Biophysicists and biochemists research fundamental scientific principles of life, often at the cellular level.
• Computer and Information Research Scientists: Computer and information research scientists seek to develop new computing technologies or improve existing ones.
Future Applications
To carry out their research, astrophysicists depend on public and university funding. To secure funding often means to convince the American public of the excitement and value of their research. A growing field of astrophysics is the study of the properties of extrasolar planets, especially to look for any suitability to host extraterrestrial life. Additionally, astrophysicists are working toward a fuller understanding of the effects of solar properties. This research contributes to climate studies of the earth itself.
Because of the potentially vast cost of instruments for astrophysical research, and the resulting scientific contribution to global human knowledge, there has been great international cooperation in astrophysics. For example, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer—which cost close to $1.5 billion to design, build, and send into space—was a joint North American, European, and Asian project. Housed at the International Space Station beginning in 2011, it provides astrophysicists with the scientific means to search, for example, for antimatter or evidence of dark matter in the universe.
As long as humanity keeps an interest in the questions of the universe and the material it is made of—and is willing to spend money on scientists and their research to find answers—astrophysicists will continue to conduct research for projects both old and new.
Bibliography
"19-2011.00 – Astronomers." O*NET Online, 2023, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2011.00. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.
"Physicists and Astronomers." Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/physicists-and-astronomers.htm. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.