Staff role
Astronomer
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Astronomer; Astronomy Outreach Coordinator; Astrophysicist; Research Astrophysicist
Tasks
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
- Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
- Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
- Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
- Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
- Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
- Review scientific proposals and research papers.
- Raise funds for scientific research.
- Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.
- Serve on professional panels and committees.
- Calculate orbits and determine sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.
Knowledge
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
Skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Number Facility
- Information Ordering
- Flexibility of Closure
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Fluency of Ideas
- Originality
- Far Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Category Flexibility
- Selective Attention
- Speech Recognition
- Perceptual Speed
- Visual Color Discrimination
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.