Astronomers

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Observe, research, and interpret celestial and astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge and apply such information to practical problems.

tasks jobzones knowledge skills abilities work_activities work_context interests work_styles work_values

Tasks

  • Direct the operations of a planetarium.

  • Calculate orbits, and determine sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.

  • Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.

  • Teach astronomy or astrophysics.

  • Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.

  • Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.

  • Raise funds for scientific research.

  • 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.

  • Present research findings at scientific conferences, and in papers written for scientific journals.

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Job Zone

  • Name: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

  • Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

  • Education: A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

  • Job training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

  • Examples: These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, physicists, school psychologists, and surgeons.

  • Svp range: (8.0 and above)

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Knowledge

Browse Knowledge

  • Physics
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

  • Mathematics
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

  • Computers and Electronics
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • Education and Training
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • Engineering and Technology
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

  • English Language
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Chemistry
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

  • Administration and Management
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

  • Communications and Media
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

  • Design
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

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Skills

Browse Skills

  • Science
    Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

  • Critical Thinking
    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

  • Mathematics
    Using mathematics to solve problems.

  • Active Learning
    Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Reading Comprehension
    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Complex Problem Solving
    Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

  • Writing
    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

  • Active Listening
    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Programming
    Writing computer programs for various purposes.

  • Speaking
    Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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Abilities

Browse Abilities

  • Written Comprehension
    The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

  • Oral Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Written Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

  • Oral Comprehension
    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Mathematical Reasoning
    The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

  • Deductive Reasoning
    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

  • Inductive Reasoning
    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

  • Category Flexibility
    The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

  • Flexibility of Closure
    The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

  • Far Vision
    The ability to see details at a distance.

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Work Activities

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Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
    How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

  • Structured versus Unstructured Work
    To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

  • Freedom to Make Decisions
    How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

  • Telephone
    How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
    How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

  • Level of Competition
    To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
    How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

  • Spend Time Sitting
    How much does this job require sitting?

  • Work With Work Group or Team
    How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

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Interests

Browse Interests

  • Investigative
    Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

  • Realistic
    Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

  • Conventional
    Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

  • Artistic
    Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

  • Social
    Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

  • Enterprising
    Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

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Work Styles

  • Analytical Thinking
    Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

  • Achievement/Effort
    Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

  • Persistence
    Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

  • Initiative
    Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

  • Integrity
    Job requires being honest and ethical.

  • Independence
    Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

  • Innovation
    Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

  • Attention to Detail
    Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

  • Dependability
    Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

  • Stress Tolerance
    Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

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Work Values

Browse Work Values

  • Independence
    Workers on this job do their work alone.

  • Autonomy
    Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.

  • Ability Utilization
    Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.

  • Moral Values
    Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

  • Independence-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Achievement-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

  • Creativity
    Workers on this job try out their own ideas.

  • Responsibility
    Workers on this job make decisions on their own.

  • Achievement
    Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.

  • Working Conditions
    Workers on this job have good working conditions.

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