What Does an Astrophysicist Do? (2023 Guide)

Have you ever wondered about the role the universe plays in human life?

If you are interested in studying celestial bodies, working as an Astrophysicist could be perfect for you. This role often revolves around conducting research using data from satellites and observatories. In addition to gathering data, you are likely to spend a lot of time writing reports and sharing your findings. 

While this can be a very rewarding career, it takes a lot of time and dedication to become qualified. So, let’s find out, ‘what does an astrophysicist do?’

Duties And Responsibilities

This can be a very varied career, and your duties can also vary at different times of the year. While some Astrophysicists choose to focus on research, others make teaching their main focus. Let’s take a look at the main duties and responsibilities that typically go with this role. 

Read more: What does a Principal do?

Gathering data

You are likely to travel to laboratories and observatories to gather data. This can include measuring infrared, gamma, radio, and x-ray emissions from Outer Space. This could also involve calculating orbits to determine the possible age, brightness, size, and shape of celestial bodies. 

Developing theories

After collecting and analyzing data from different sources, you will use the data to create theories. You will also use established research techniques to test your theories. It is essential to try and make sure your theories are as solid as possible before presenting them. 

Developing equipment

You will use equipment such as telescopes to observe celestial bodies. It may occasionally be necessary to develop specialist instruments and computer software. This will help you to take your research to the next level and broaden the scope of knowledge. 

Collaboration

You will often work with other astronomers and scientists in different fields on research projects. Be comfortable sharing your ideas and opinions while listening to those of other people. You must be able to work closely with people from all walks of life. 

Presenting theories

Once you have developed a new theory, you will be charged with presenting it to your peers. This usually starts by writing proposals and papers for scientific journals. If your theory gains traction, you could travel to various locations to present it to public forums. 

Teaching

Many professionals spend time teaching and overseeing Ph.D. candidates in universities. It is important to be able to present information interestingly and memorably. This can also include facilitating science experiments and providing consultation on projects. 

What Does An Astrophysicist Do? – The Work Environment

Most professionals choose to take either an academic route or a research route. This means that you will either spend your time teaching or trying to develop important theories. However, it is possible to split your time between teaching and fieldwork if you prefer. 

If you decide to focus on teaching, you will spend most of your time in a college or university. You will have set teaching hours as well as office hours to stick to. This is ideal for people who are looking for career stability and a fixed schedule.

Travel and irregular hours…

The working environment for a researcher tends to be much more varied. You are likely to spend several months at a time working on projects, and hours can be irregular. Researchers spend a lot of time in laboratories, while they also travel to various sites to collect data. 

Skills And Attributes

You need to develop the right set of both hard and soft skills to qualify for this job. While the hard skills will be taught as part of your degree program, the soft skills relate to your personality traits. Here are the main skills and attributes an Astrophysicist needs to possess.

Research

It is important to develop a strong set of research skills as soon as possible. These will help you complete your coursework requirements when you are studying for your degree. You will also spend a lot of time researching once you become qualified. You must be able to read and evaluate large amounts of data and filter it to find the information you need.  

Analytical skills

You will conduct numerous research projects as part of your career. It is essential to develop strong analytical skills, which will help you to review data. This will help you to gather, interpret, and report data more effectively. 

Reporting skills

No matter which field you specialize in, scientific reports have to be created in a specific way. You need to learn the structure of scientific reports and follow it to the letter. 

Mathematical skills

You need to have advanced mathematical skills to interpret and report data and test different theories. You need to be able to make quick and accurate calculations to determine the size of celestial bodies. These skills will also help you to interpret the data from various scientific experiments. 

Physics

A strong foundation in physics is essential for people who work in the field. You need to have a deep understanding of the various physics principles. You must be able to determine which ones to apply to your work and how to interpret the results. 

Problem-solving skills

You need to be able to think about different theories and issues from different angles. This will help you to create a hypothesis and prove your theory. 

Communication skills

You need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills to explain and document your research. Speak in front of students and other scientists when explaining your findings. You need to be able to explain complex information as concisely and simply as possible. 

Computer programming

You will work with advanced computer programs and systems regularly. You need to be able to create and modify software when working on different projects. This software will be used to analyze data and create models of the universe. You will also use computer programs to create presentations and other types of documents. 

Professional Requirements

This career requires in-depth knowledge of a wide range of science-based topics. You need to be prepared to invest time and money in your education after completing college. Let’s take a closer look at the education and training requirements for this role. 

Education

It is necessary to hold at least a master’s degree to work as an Astrophysicist. After completing college, you need to check out the different options carefully. It is best to choose a course that offers classes in both astrophysics and astronomy.

After completing your bachelor’s degree, you will be ready to enroll in a master’s degree. It is best to gain work experience between semesters in an observatory or laboratory. This will give you a little hands-on experience that will deepen your understanding. 

And finally, your Doctorate…

The final step on the higher education path is enrolling in a Ph.D. program. This course will mainly involve creating and defending a dissertation. This will give you a strong foundation in research as well as explain findings to groups of people. 

Training

You will receive training as part of your degree and once you secure your first job. It is a good idea to secure an internship to develop astrophysical skills before graduation. During an entry-level job, you will work closely with supervisors to gain experience. 

Certifications

Earning a specialist certification is the best way to take your career to the next level. After earning a degree, you need to sit and pass at least one exam to earn certification. Let’s take a look at some of the main ones that you can work toward. 

Joint Entrance Screening Test 

You can take this test after earning a bachelor’s degree. Passing this will boost your chances of being accepted into a master’s or Ph.D. program. There is a JEST exclusively for astrophysics, while related fields include astronomy and physics. 

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 

Also known as the GATE, this is a multiple-choice exam that focuses on a range of engineering concepts. You need to hold a bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline to qualify. The Aerospace Engineering portion of this test is marked with the code AE.

National Entrance Test 

You will need to sit and pass this test if you want to teach astrophysics in a college or university setting. The exam will test your ability to impart knowledge in a formal setting. To qualify for the test, you need to hold a Ph.D. and several years of experience in the field.

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What Does an Astrophysicist Do? – Final Thoughts

Becoming an Astrophysicist can be a very exciting career. If you are lucky, you may have the chance to develop a ground-breaking theory or make an important discovery. However, you need to be prepared to devote at least ten years to higher education to become qualified.

The environment you work in directly impacts your salary, and the average for university employees is $87,000 per year. However, gaining specialist certification and skills can boost your earning potential considerably. If you score a federal government job, you could earn at least $150,000 per year.

Good luck in your new career as an Astrophysicist!