Physics Astrophysics on par with physics? (perception-wise)

[torquemada]

Hi all,

earlier this year I asked about astronomy vs physics, and the general consensus was that, at least in the academic world, astronomy is thought of as fringe in the sense that you won't get hired to a physics post or be able to do physics research, but a physicist could do astronomy. What about an astrophysicist? Is that considered a full blown physicist, like a condensed matter physicist or nuclear physicist? Or is that lumped together with the astronomer in the academic world? thanks

 

[dipole]

Yes astrophysics is just one specialization among many. An astrophysistist is just as much a physisist as a particle physisist or any other kind.