Job opportunities for an Astrophysics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around job opportunities for astrophysicists, exploring various career paths and the implications of measurement systems used in scientific fields, particularly in relation to NASA and other institutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that common job opportunities for astrophysicists include positions as professors or researchers at federal institutions.
  • Others propose that there are also opportunities in the private sector, particularly in satellite, aerospace, and meteorology companies.
  • A participant expresses interest in working for NASA, which is acknowledged as a federal institution.
  • There is a discussion about the measurement systems used at NASA, with one participant noting that the choice of system depends more on the specific field than the institution itself.
  • Several participants express a preference for the metric system over the Imperial system, citing its logical structure and potential to reduce communication barriers.
  • Some participants engage in a light-hearted debate about the merits of the metric versus Imperial systems, with varying opinions on which is superior.
  • A later reply suggests that an academic position is advisable for those pursuing a career in astrophysics, as it may enhance credibility in the field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding job opportunities and the measurement systems, with no consensus on the superiority of one measurement system over the other. The discussion remains unresolved on the best approach to measurement in scientific contexts.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the differences between the US customary system and the British Imperial system, as well as the implications of switching to the metric system in everyday life, particularly in the US.

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I was just wondering if what job opportuniteis are out there for an Astrophysicist. I am actually really into that these days.. Hehe..
 
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The obvious :

- Professor
- Researcher at Federal institutions

The less obvious :

- Researcher for Private sector (satellite/aerospace/meteorology companies)
- Using mathematical methods learned for completely different field of research

Plenty of stuff going on, especially in the right sub-fields.
 
Hooah, that's so cool...

Can I be in NASA by any chance? :smile:
 
That's definitely one of the "Federal institutions".
 
Yay... Hehe

Just another question, in NASA, to they use the Imperial or the Metric measurements?
 
Measurement depend mostly on what field you're in, more than where you work. Aviation use the Imperial system, while much of science (Phys. Chem and Biol.) uses Metric. Engineers have to use both.
 
I never thought much of the various systems until I really began my learning in Physics and Engineering. I wish we (the US) would just switch over to the Metric system and be done with it. Much superior in my opinion.
 
DaVinci said:
I never thought much of the various systems until I really began my learning in Physics and Engineering. I wish we (the US) would just switch over to the Metric system and be done with it. Much superior in my opinion.


if nothing else it would make one fewer communication barrier with the rest of the world
 
And maybe more Mars probes that actually *land* on the planet! :smile:
 
  • #10
DaVinci said:
I never thought much of the various systems until I really began my learning in Physics and Engineering. I wish we (the US) would just switch over to the Metric system and be done with it. Much superior in my opinion.
Some trivia. What are the only three countries in the world that use the "English" system?
 
  • #11
Can I try ?

The US, Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) and...gosh...can't recall the third
 
  • #12
Gokul43201 said:
Can I try ?

The US, Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) and...gosh...can't recall the third


US customary system and British Imperial system are apparently different, similar, but not identical.

At any rate the only countries thst do not officially use the metric system are the US, Myanmar and Liberia.

Consider it our way of snubbing europe, as so much of what we do is aimed to accomplish.
 
  • #13
Doesn't Britain use a mix of everything? Last time i checked they used stones, pounds AND kilos, depending on which way the wind is blowing each day.
 
  • #14
Dracovich said:
Doesn't Britain use a mix of everything? Last time i checked they used stones, pounds AND kilos, depending on which way the wind is blowing each day.


But the metric is the official system, as of the 1970s. S
 
  • #15
I agree about needing to change to the metric system.
Damn you backward americans. heh. j/k

The metric system is much more logical, however I thought there was worldwide scientific stds of measurement?
 
  • #16
Grandor said:
I agree about needing to change to the metric system.
Damn you backward americans. heh. j/k

The metric system is much more logical, however I thought there was worldwide scientific stds of measurement?

yes, and its not the official system sanctioned by the government.
 
  • #17
I think the metric is a million times better.

Just as celsious is a billion times better than Farenheit. I mean did whoever created Fahrenheit just stick a pin into a line of numbers to decide his boiling point and freezing point?
 
  • #18
franznietzsche said:
US customary system and British Imperial system are apparently different, similar, but not identical.

At any rate the only countries thst do not officially use the metric system are the US, Myanmar and Liberia.

Consider it our way of snubbing europe, as so much of what we do is aimed to accomplish.
Yes, you're correct.

(Geez, I forgot I even asked this question) :redface:
 
  • #19
Cosmo16 said:
I think the metric is a million times better.

Just as celsious is a billion times better than Farenheit. I mean did whoever created Fahrenheit just stick a pin into a line of numbers to decide his boiling point and freezing point?

Oh yeah?, well I think that the imperial system is 1576349 times better than metric. :smile:

(get it? I used an arbitrary, completely impossible to remember conversion factor instead of a nice power of ten. LOL, it's easy to see which system I really think is better).

It's about time the SI system was adopted whole-heartedly everywhere
 
  • #20
If you go into astrophysics, I would suggest getting an academic position. After that, you can move into federal or industrial labs if you so desire. Without having an academic position - everyone wonders if you've really got what it takes.
 
  • #21
cepheid said:
It's about time the SI system was adopted whole-heartedly everywhere

Whenever I see a statement like this, my first impression is "hell yea, bout time". However, I live in Detroit Michigan, can you imagine for one second what would happen if they suddenly put up speed limit signs that said 122 km/h on them ? Oh well, it's not like we pay attention to the ones that say 70mph :biggrin: .
 
  • #22
kdinser said:
Whenever I see a statement like this, my first impression is "hell yea, bout time". However, I live in Detroit Michigan, can you imagine for one second what would happen if they suddenly put up speed limit signs that said 122 km/h on them ? Oh well, it's not like we pay attention to the ones that say 70mph :biggrin: .

Spe-ed-Limi-Ts? What are those?
 

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