What to study to be an astronomer

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To become an astronomer, studying both mathematics and physics is essential, as these subjects provide the foundational knowledge needed in the field. The distinction between astronomy and astrophysics is often unclear, with astronomy focusing more on observational and practical aspects, while astrophysics delves into theoretical concepts, particularly concerning stellar phenomena. Many professionals in astronomy have degrees in physics or mathematics, highlighting the importance of these disciplines. A solid understanding of physics and math allows for application across various branches of astronomy. Overall, pursuing a combination of physics and mathematics is recommended for aspiring astronomers.
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Hello hope someone can help me to understand more about what I need to study at uni to become an astronomer. Is it maths and physics ? Or just maths and astronomy? And what's the difference between an astronomer and an astrophysicist ?help!
 
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You would need both math and physics. The difference between astronomy and astrophysics is fuzzy. Astrophysics would be more about what happens inside stars, while astronomy would be more about external.
 
I did Physics and Astronomy, but quite a few of my Astronomy lecturers had Maths only degrees. I would recommend taking Physics and Maths, those are the fundamentals and when you understand those, you can apply them to any branch.

Mathman is right, it's quite a fuzzy definition. I've always seen Astronomy as more observational and practical, and Astrophyiscs as theoretical.
 

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