Are There Really Only 5000 Astrophysicists?

  • Context: Physics 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the claim that there are approximately 5000 astrophysicists in the USA or globally. Participants explore the implications of this number for students considering a major in astrophysics, including job prospects and alternative career paths.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the definition of "real" astrophysicists, suggesting it may lead to a logical fallacy.
  • Another participant notes that the number of astrophysicists may be low due to limited job opportunities in the field.
  • A participant shares their experience of obtaining a doctorate in astrophysics and finding success in industry, indicating that there are alternative career paths available.
  • Concerns are raised about job availability in astrophysics and whether students should consider changing their major based on these statistics.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the accuracy of the 5000 figure, with one suggesting it could be a rough estimate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the accuracy of the 5000 astrophysicists figure or the implications for students considering the major. Multiple viewpoints regarding job prospects and definitions of astrophysicists are presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about job availability and the definition of astrophysicists, which are not fully explored or resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a major in astrophysics, educators in STEM fields, and individuals interested in career paths related to astrophysics.

DeepSpace9
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I heard there are about 5000 real Astrophysicists in the USA or the world.. Is this true? And if so, why is the number so low? I'm in my second year of AP major.. With such a low number of actual Astrophysicists out there, should I change my major? Chemistry would be my 2nd choice.
 
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Define "real".

Sounds like a "no real Scotsman" fallacy to me.
 
Dr. in Astrophysics and are doing research for some scientific organization.
 
Dr of Science or PhD?

I imagine there are not that many jobs with that description ... may be ballpark if you restrict the estimate to one country.
 
Waiting for the next person who clicked on this link picturing 5 million astrophysicists.
 
I was thinking the same thing as meanrev.
 
Dr. In Astrophysicists, but can I have a straight forward opinion.
I'm Majoring in astrophysics and this is what I want to do with my life, but I'm only 20 and I'm assuming some of you guys are a lot older than me.. Is it difficult to get a job as an astrophysicist, or should I change my major? If the statistics are low on jobs in this industry I will change my major, help??
 
DeepSpace9 said:
I heard there are about 5000 real Astrophysicists in the USA or the world.. Is this true?

As an order of magnitude that sounds about right

http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/emptrends.html

Look at the bottom for the number for the FTE's.

And if so, why is the number so low?

Same reasons why there are so few professional football players.

I'm in my second year of AP major.. With such a low number of actual Astrophysicists out there, should I change my major? Chemistry would be my 2nd choice.

It depends on what you want to do with your life. Personally, I got my doctorate in astrophysics, then went out and worked in industry, and things turned out very, very well for me, and there are a ton of astrophysicists on Wall Street. Other people have had different experiences.

One thing that I like is that because there are few jobs directly involved in astrophysics, I had to get creative with figuring out what to do with my degree.
 

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