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Astronomers

Credit: Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0 on Flickr

An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial objects and phenomena, such as stars, planets, galaxies, and comets. They use a variety of tools and techniques to observe and analyze these objects, including telescopes, spectrographs, and computer simulations. The type of work that an astronomer does may require a moderate or extensive background in the geosciences depending on their area of specialization. Some common areas of focus include:

  • Celestial mechanics: The study of the motion and dynamics of celestial bodies, such as planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.

  • Astrophysics: The study of the physical properties of celestial objects, including their composition, structure, and behavior.

  • Stellar or galactic astronomy: The study of stars or galaxies, including their formation, evolution, and death.

  • Cosmology: The study of the universe as a whole, including its origin, evolution, and eventual fate.

Read more about this occupation on O*NET OnLine at www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2011.00

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