What kind of work does an astrophysicist do?

[SpaceTiger]

Graduates who go into Astrophysics choose to specialize in either the observational or the theoretical aspect of the field. Those who choose the former option need some basic core courses in Physics (EM, QM, CM and Math methods) as well as Atomic Physics and a pretty sound knowledge of computer programming e.g. IDL. A lot of observational Astrophysics is applied Atomic Physics. Many people go into it thinking that you'll be looking at cool Astro photographs a lot. Nothing can be further from the truth. You'll spend endless hours reducing spectral data. These kinds of Astrophysicists spend most of their time quibbling about various optimal filtering techniques , etc. to spot whatever they are after.

In case you are more interested in the theoretical aspect, you need to be VERY good at Math. You need a thorough knowledge of Differential Geometry, for example. Many theorists focus on solving complicated fluid dynamical equations with Magnetohydrodynamics/ Plasma Physics also thrown in. If you want to work on General Relativistic applications you obviously have to have a good background in GR. These types of Astrophysicists need more advanced Physics classes than the ones who focus on taking and interpreting observational data.

These are both excellent descriptions of the extremes, but let's keep in mind that they are a bit idealized. I don't fit well into either of those categories and neither do many of my colleagues. There is a lot of room for people in between pure observational work and hardcore theory. This is fortunate, because both of these things would bore me to tears in the forms described above.

 

[silverpig]

Not very many people do astronomy anymore. Historically, astronomy was more charting stars and cataloging magnitudes etc. There's not too much of that going on anymore. Most "astronomers" are really astrophysicists. Astrophysics is basically physics that you can't do on Earth :)

 

[Brilliant_kid]

I'm a kid just going into High school next year. I'm looking for a job that studies how the universe works. I'm interested in all kinds of the things like coil guns perpetual motion machines. Would astro physics be a career I would pick?

 

[Jack21222]

I'm a kid just going into High school next year. I'm looking for a job that studies how the universe works. I'm interested in all kinds of the things like coil guns perpetual motion machines. Would astro physics be a career I would pick?

...You bumped a 4 year old tread to talk about perpetual motion machines?

No, if you think such a thing can exist, I suggest you stay far away from physics of any sort.