Careers in Astronomy

Biology Computers

Interdisciplinary field concerned Algorithm development for signal with the origins, early evolution, processing, Big data mining, distribution, and future of life in computer modelling, complex the universe. Generally computational algorithms for includes lab work where simulation, etc. Mechanical scientists study meteorites, Skills: C, C++, Python, Theoretical research work involves Work includes design, analyse, rigorous mathematics, solving comet dust samples, etc. Machine learning manufacture instruments and their complex equations, mathematical They also work with maintenance. 3D modelling and functions to optimise the geologists, designing of mechanical performance of algorithms for astronomers etc. components and assemblies. analysing images, aspects of Skills: CAD-CAM eg. Chemistry instrumentation etc. Electronics AutoCAD, Pro-E, Spectroscopy and chemical Remote operation and control modelling to understand; CATIA of telescope, embedded systems, Protoplanetary disk, planet formation, stellar back-end instrumentation, site planet interior, nebula, meteorites, comets, survey instrumentation & maintenance, etc. asteroids, exoplanets atmosphere and E n Skills: Embedded, VLSI, PLC design, sign of life in the Universe g ce in MATLAB n e Physics e e Electrical Theoretical & Observational i r Design of power supplies, Astronomy; analyze & process data, c i constructing receivers and radio develop physical theories & build n amplifiers, antenna, designing computer simulations to model and S g circuits, operating control systems & understand various phenomena in the their maintenance Universe Skills: VLSI, PLC and PCB design, Astronomy MATLAB

Theoretical & Observational Astronomy Astronomy Career Positions Outreach & Miscellaneous (Based on Object specialization) Ÿ Project Student Ÿ Theoretical Physicist Ÿ Educator Ÿ Gravitational Waves Ÿ Stellar Astronomy Ÿ Project Assistant / Ÿ Software Developer Ÿ Public Relation Ÿ Galactic Astronomy Ÿ Plasma Astrophysics Associate Ÿ Technical Officer Ÿ Technical Writer Ÿ Planetary Sciences Ÿ Solar Physics Ÿ Project Scientist Ÿ Teaching Faculty Ÿ Engineering Technician Ÿ Exoplanets Ÿ Interstellar Ÿ Scientific Trainee Ÿ Postdoctoral Fellow Ÿ Amateur Astronomer Ÿ Relativistic Astrophysics Ÿ Scientific Officer Ÿ Astronomer Ÿ Designer Astrophysics Ÿ Compact objects Ÿ Data Scientist Ÿ System Engineer Ÿ Astrobiology (Inter - Ÿ Extragalactic Ÿ Astrometry Ÿ Experimental Physicist Disciplinary) Astronomy e.g. A Data Scientist is a professional responsible for collecting, analyzing and interpreting large amounts of astronomical data to identify ways to help in research.

How do I get in? In School (9th to 12th) In College (UG & PG)

Ÿ Develop an understanding of the concepts and applications of Physics, Chemistry and Ÿ Develop an understanding of the concepts and applications of the core subjects. Maths. Ÿ Develop some skills such as computer coding (e.g. Python), software tools (e.g. SolidWorks) etc. Ÿ Relate to these concepts by looking for them outside the classroom. Ÿ Try in internships and Winter/Summer School such as VSRP, SRFP, SURP etc. from the first Ÿ Enjoy practical, hands-on activities along with your studies. year of your UG program. Ÿ Ÿ Read popular literature about astronomy and astronomers. Numerous foreign universities offer short-term, e.g. 1-week summer schools to students around the world. e.g. Introduction to Astronomical Instrumentation by Dunlap Institute of Ÿ Join any active amateur astronomy group near you (e.g. Jyotirvidya Parisanstha, Pune). Astronomy & Astrophysics. Ÿ Participate in Olympiads, school level competitions organized by NASA, INTEL, FIRST etc. Ÿ Internships and summer programs are vital, and to learn valuable skills one should

Ÿ Prepare for scholarship programs such as KVPY, INSPIRE and Tata Grants. participate in them even if they are not directly related to Astronomy & Astrophysics. Ÿ Pursue your final-year project at a research institute. Ÿ Prepare for merit-based(10th and 12th Grades) entrance for undergraduate admission at Ÿ Volunteer as a project student under the guidance of a researcher, or a teacher. universities such as DU and exam-based admission in India through IIT-JEE, IAT, BITSAT, IIST Ÿ Participate in various citizen science projects related to astronomy (e.g. planethunters.org). etc. and outside India through SAT, ACT etc. Ÿ Prepare for PG level entrance exam such as JEST, GATE etc. for Indian Universities; GRE Ÿ There is no program in India to pursue an Astronomy specialization degree just after 12th. General, GRE Subject tests and TOEFL or IELTS(for testing English) for foreign universities. Ÿ Campus France, uni-assist etc. are some of the agencies through which international Ÿ There are some dual/integrated degree BSc-MSc/B.Tech-M.Tech programs at Indian students need to apply for most French and German universities. universities where students can enrol just after 12th.

Resources: Resources: Ÿ Ÿ NCERT and other reference books. Books recommended by university. Ÿ Online resources: khanacademy.org, saylor.org, coursera.org, edx.org. Ÿ Online Resources: NPTEL, MIT-OCW, UCI Open, Edx, Coursera, SWAYAM, Academic earth, Ÿ Youtube channels: Pradeep Kshetrapal, Walter Lewin, ExamFear Education, 3Blue1Brown, 3Blue1Brown, Minute Physics. Veritasium. Ÿ Blog for internships and programs outside India: ‘How to make an Astrophysicist’; Ÿ arvindguptatoys.com for hands-on learning experience using science toys. Ÿ Blog for internships in India: ‘Internshala’. Ÿ ‘AstroBetter’ is among very few blogs that provide worldwide information and resources related to Astronomy & Astrophysics. Exams and Competitions:

Ÿ UG Entrance Exams: IChO: International Chemistry Olympiad Exams and Competitions: Ÿ BITSAT: Birla Institute of Technology and Ÿ IMO: International Mathematics Olympiad Science Admission Test Ÿ IPhO: International Physics Olympiad Ÿ PG Entrance Exams: Program IAT: IISER Aptitude Test Ÿ MTSE: Maharashtra Talent Search Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in LEAPS: The Leiden/ESA Astrophysics IIT-JEE: Indian Institute of Technology- Examination (state level) Engineering Program for Summer Students Joint Entrance Exam Ÿ NTSE: National Talent Search Examination Ÿ GRE: Graduate Record Examinations (for Ÿ SASP: Space Astronomy Summer Program Ÿ SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test (for foreign foreign universities at PG level) Ÿ SUPPR: Summer Undergraduate Program universities at UG level) Ÿ Ÿ Scholarship/Fellowships: INAT: IUCAA-NCRA Admission Test for Planetary Research PUBDET: Presidency University Bachelor Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ INSPIRE: Innovation in Science Pursuit for JAM: Joint Admission Test SURF: Summer Undergraduate Research Degree Entrance Test Ÿ Ÿ Inspired Research JEST: Joint Entrance Screening Test Fellowships NEST: National Entrance Screening Test Ÿ Ÿ KVPY: Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana SURP: Summer Undergraduate Research Ÿ Program Tata Education Grants Internships/Summer & Winter Schools: Ÿ Olympiads: Ÿ VSRP: Visiting Students' Research Ÿ IISER-PSSP: IISER Pune Summer Student IAO: International Astronomy Olympiad Programme

Note: Working on real projects and problems in the field of Astronomy & Astrophysics (theory, instrumentation, analysis etc.) requires one to have a basic understanding of each aspect of the problem. Also, there is no hard and fast rule. For example, a person from a mechanical engineering background can perform the work of an electrical engineer, given the person has the required skills. Having the required skill set to execute the task in a project is what matters. One often needs to learn new skills and keep oneself updated according to the requirement of the problem.

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