Astronomy is the natural science that involves studies celestial bodies. Celestial bodies are objects in the universe apart from Earth. Thus, astronomers are the scientist who studies astronomy. They study all the celestial bodies outside earth. As an astronomer, you will observe stars, sun, planets, moons, comets, meteorites, galaxies, black holes, etc.

You will be either a theoretical astronomer or observational astronomer.

As an observational astronomer, you will directly observe celestial bodies through telescope and analyses the data.

As a theoretical astronomer, you would create a probable model of things and then investigate as these objects cannot be directly observed. Many stars are millions of light years away from us so they cannot be directly observed.

Astrophysicist is an astronomer who combines physics and chemistry to study the nature of astronomical and celestial bodies. They do not work to find the location of these bodies but rather study density, luminosity (how shiny they are), temperature, physical properties, chemical properties, composition etc.

Key roles and responsibilities

As an astronomer, you will have different roles and responsibilities depending on your specialization. However, the following are the key roles and responsibilities that you would be required to carry:

• As an astronomer, you would be required to develop scientific theories and models that would enable to understand the physical world properties such as gravitational force, its formation, the formation of sub-atomic particles.
• As an astrophysicist, you would be required to develop scientific theories that would enable to understand the physical and chemical properties of Celestial bodies.
• You would plan and conduct several scientific research and experiments to test your theories around matter and energy properties.
• You would be required to keep applying for funding to complete your research.
• You would be required to keep observing the universe and keep finding new objects, study them, understand their physical and chemical properties and location in the universe.
• You would work to design new scientific equipment like telescopes and lasers.
• You would work to design new computer programs and models to study your data.
• You would be required to do complex mathematical calculations to analyse your collected data for different celestial bodies. This data may be used to study the possible existence of life beyond earth, the scope of water in the universe, understand new properties of materials, etc.
• You would write and publish your work and research in scientific journals and thus preserve them for future references and use.

You should have the following occupational interests:

• Investigative - You should have interests for Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve the use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision making and problem-solving.
• Artistic - Artistic career involves working around design, patterns, shapes, forms, colours, etc. Artistic work need not follow the rules sometimes.
• Realistic - You should have interests for Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment.

Following personality attributes are required:

• You are always or mostly care about your actions and behaviour.
• You are always or mostly disciplined in your action and behaviour.
• You don't trust others easily.
• You are always practical or in most situations.
• You can always act independently or could do so in most situations.
• You always prefer to experience new things and have new experiences, or you mostly do.

You should have the following skills and knowledge:

• Active Learning - Focused and continuous learning from various sources of information, observation and otherwise for application in getting work done.
• Critical Thinking - Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.
• Reading Comprehension - Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Scientific - Skills in using various scientific rules and methods to get things done or solve problems.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, trigonometry, statistics, and other mathematical disciplines and their applications.
• Physical Science - Knowledge of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understand fluid, material, earth, ocean, atmosphere, and space dynamics, as well as mechanical, electrical, atomic and subatomic structures, properties and processes.
• Computers – Knowledge of computer hardware and software, computer programming, computer networks, computer and mobile applications.

You should have the following aptitudes and abilities:

• Deductive reasoning – The ability to apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information from various sources, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analysing various events or situations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions.
• 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.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).