Why study Astronomy?

In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about the Astronomy program: what it is, what it consists of, what subjects are covered, what a student's profile is, what an astronomer's job is, where to study, and much more! Keep reading!

What is Astronomy?

Astronomy encompasses the study of the universe, cosmological theories, and various celestial bodies, such as planets, satellites, comets, asteroids, stars, galaxies, and others. Astronomy also encompasses the study of the formation and development of the universe as a whole through cosmology, and is related to physics, chemistry, and biology.

Astronomy is a science that has been part of humanity since ancient times. Civilizations such as the Inca, Egyptian, Mayan, and Aztec civilizations achieved such a level of knowledge that it is considered fundamental to the subsequent evolution of the discipline.

In its early days, astronomy ehthusiasts had a practical application in understanding the cycles of the stars and establishing time measurements that would allow us to determine, among other things, the opportune time for sowing and harvesting.

Then, with time and the invention of the telescope by Galileo Galilei, the sky could be studied in more detail and with other objectives.

There are many branches within this science. Below we explain what they are:

Astrophysics: This specialization uses physics to explain the properties and phenomena of bodies in the universe through laws, formulas, and magnitudes.

Astrogeology: also called Planetary Geology or Exology, deals with the geology of celestial bodies.

Astronautics: This branch of Astronomy studies human trajectories, exploration, and survival in space.

Celestial mechanics: This discipline aims to study the movements of celestial bodies by virtue of the gravitational effects exerted on them by other massive bodies.

Planetology: This branch studies the formation of planetary systems and their satellites.

X-ray astronomy: studies the emission of X-rays from celestial objects.

Asteroseismology: This science studies the internal structure of stars.

Astrometry: is the branch of astronomy that deals with measuring and studying the position, parallaxes and proper motions of stars.

Astronomy and Astrology: Are They the Same Thing?

Many people confuse the terms Astronomy and Astrology, so we're going to tell you what their differences are.

As we saw, astronomy studies the stars, their movements, and the laws that govern them. Astrology, on the other hand, is a pseudoscientific discipline that attempts to predict events in human life based on the stars and their position in the sky.

“It is a beautiful and pleasing spectacle to behold the body of the moon” – Galileo Galilei

What does the Astronomy Degree consist of?

The Astronomy program trains its students to investigate the formation and evolution of celestial bodies, based on the study of physics and mathematics . It also prepares them to develop research and teaching tasks in the various areas of this particular field of knowledge.

Astronomy has two main pillars: theoretical and observational. Astronomers with a theoretical background are dedicated to understanding the evolution of the universe, collecting data, and comparing them.

Observational astronomers, on the other hand, focus on discovering new theories and finding ways to validate the work of theoretical astronomers.

How long does this degree last and what subjects does it cover?

The Astronomy degree lasts approximately five years and its curriculum includes some of the following subjects:

Algebra

Mathematical Analysis

General Physics

Electromagnetism

General Astronomy

Numerical Calculation

Mathematical Methods of Physics

Complements of Modern Physics

General Astrophysics

General Astrometry

Celestial Mechanics

What are the duties of an Astronomy graduate?

The primary role of an Astronomy graduate is to contribute to the knowledge surrounding the study of the universe . Depending on the branch of the discipline you choose, your role will vary from collecting and comparing data to developing new theories to validate the work of colleagues.

Also, within the Astronomy program, there are subdivisions, and depending on which one you choose, your role in society will vary. The most important divisions within the discipline are:

Positional astronomy : responsible for describing the movement of all celestial bodies and studying incredible phenomena such as eclipses.

Astrophysics: studies the composition, structure and evolution of stars.

Cosmology: This is the study of the history of the universe since its inception. One of the most famous theories developed was the Big Bang theory.

Profile of the Astronomy Student

Astronomy students are characterized by a special interest in observing routine situations through which physical phenomena manifest. They also express a curiosity about physics and the analysis of the cosmos.

While many of these qualities are learned during the course, it is necessary for students to:

Have an interest in learning mathematics , physics and chemistry .

Be interested in learning information and communication technology skills.

Develop the ability to explain results clearly and concisely.

Be patient, creative, have problem-solving skills and determination for your research work.

Have an interest in learning basic electronics skills to design and build new equipment.

What is the career field of an Astronomer?

An astronomer can dedicate himself to observation, research, teaching, or the formulation of theories. Therefore, the workplace of a graduate of this program will depend on the field he chooses to work in.

If you're dedicated to observation, your workplace will be an observatory; if you're dedicated to research, you'll spend long hours in a laboratory. However, if you're involved in theory formation, you'll work in an office; and if you're involved in teaching, you'll work at a university.

Advantages and disadvantages of studying Astronomy

The advantages of studying Astronomy are countless, especially given the subject matter. Some of them include:

Discover far beyond the world, the galaxy, the universe we inhabit

Being able to connect with people who share your same doubts and concerns about the universe

Passionately transmit all your knowledge through teaching

Connect with people from other fields, such as Geology or Oceanography, and continue to deepen their knowledge.

As for disadvantages, we only identify one: it's not a program worth trying out. If you enroll in Astronomy, you have to enjoy studying the universe and everything it encompasses, because it's a science that requires a lot of study

Where to study Astronomy?

If everything you've read so far has you eager to enroll in an Astronomy program, we'll tell you which universities offer it:

National University of La Plata

National University of Córdoba

National University of San Juan

Can you study Astronomy remotely?

Today, there are many programs that can be studied remotely, as they have a curriculum that can be adapted so students can take classes remotely wherever and whenever they want. However, there are other programs, such as Astronomy, that can only be studied n person, as they require hands-on experience in physical spaces such as laboratories.

If you want to learn more about online learning, we recommend reading our article "Distance Learning: What It Is, What Programs Are Available, Where to Study, and What Advantages It Has."

In conclusion

If you consider yourself passionate about the study of the universe and everything it encompasses, if you're passionate about understanding why things are the way they are and why they work the way they do, then a degree in Astronomy is surely right for you. If you'd like to learn more about this science or the universities that teach it, we invite you to visit buscouniversidad.com.ar.