I wanna be an astronomer. What should I do after class 12th?

Hello Vivek,

I really appreciate your choice, this field has lots of potential which is still undiscovered.

If you are interested in engineering then you can join IITs or NITs which are offering Aerospace and Astronomy courses. You also have the option of IIST (indian institute of space science and technology), Trivandrum which is the best option for aerospace aspirants. IIST is offering B.tech in Aerospace Engineering. Another option is to join IISC which is also consider as best institute in India for research studies. IISC also offers many courses in Astronomy and Aerospace. Some other institutes in India which offers Astronomy courses are : Indian Centre for Space Physics, Kolkata, Savitribai Phule Pune University – Department of Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Department of Atmospheric Sciences – Cochin Institute of Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, etc.

If you are interested in joining foreign universities then you comment, I will share some of the options available for it.

Good Luck !!!

Hello Vivek Menon

Earn a bachelor’s degree in science, with a focus on astronomy or physics. Take a four year degree in science, majoring in astronomy or physics. This degree will teach you key skills and prepare you for a career as an astronomer.

Some universities will offer a degree specialization in astrophysics, which is a mix of astronomy and physics.Speak to an academic advisor for advice on which universities to apply to. You may apply to your local university or college. Or you may earn your degree in a university that is out of state or in a different city.Pick a university that offers a good bachelor’s program in science and good financial aid.

Get a master’s degree in science . Most astronomers have a master’s degree in science as well as an undergraduate degree. This degree can take at least two years to complete. Getting a master’s degree will allow you to take specialized classes on astronomy, physics, and math. You will also get a chance to do research in the field.

As part of your master’s degree, you will also write a master's thesis that explores a specific topic or idea in astronomy.

Pursue a Ph.D in a particular area of astronomy . Doing a Ph.D gives you the opportunity to study a particular area of astronomy, such as radio, solar, cosmos, or galactic astronomy. You will need to take classes that cover a particular area of astronomy. This degree can take four to five years to complete.

There are many different areas of astronomy that you can study at the Ph.D level. Take the time to figure out what interests you, such as planets and moons, the cosmos, or the galaxies.

As part of your Ph.D, you are usually given the opportunity to do internships and research fellowships in your particular area of study. This is a great way to gain work experience in the field.

Complete your Ph.D dissertation and take the qualifying exams. To get your Ph.D, you will need to create a dissertation proposal. Your dissertation should provide a deep study of a particular topic in the field of astronomy. You will then need to write the dissertation, which can range from 80 to 100 pages. You will also need to take qualifying exams to graduate with a Ph.D.

The qualifying exams will vary depending on the program you are in. You usually have to write a paper and do an oral presentation to pass the exams.

Examples of possible dissertation topics include exploring star formations, examining high mass planets, and analyzing radio pulsars.

Regards