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Is it possible to be a theoretical physics and astrophysicist and still do independent research while working for NASA?
From my studies so far I find that astrophysics isn't al that diffrent from normal physics, I know I could do both, I'm just not sure abought the NASA part.lol, a theoretical physicist and astrophysicist while being productive at NASA....lol!!!!
unless you've got the brain of Enrico Fermi, that sounds reallllly tough. then again, I tend to think that I'm a theoretical and an astrophysicist. all i need to do is get a job at NASA.
From my studies so far I find that astrophysics isn't al that diffrent from normal physics, I know I could do both, I'm just not sure abought the NASA part.
Yes, you can work for NASA while being an astrophysicist/theoretical physicist. They employ people from a variety of professions, not just aerospace engineers and astronauts.From my studies so far I find that astrophysics isn't al that diffrent from normal physics, I know I could do both, I'm just not sure abought the NASA part.
As far as I know, there are a multitude of people with careers in theoretical physics and astrophysics. They don't all have the brain of Fermi, trust me.lol, a theoretical physicist and astrophysicist while being productive at NASA....lol!!!!
unless you've got the brain of Enrico Fermi, that sounds reallllly tough. then again, I tend to think that I'm a theoretical and an astrophysicist. all i need to do is get a job at NASA.
Maybe one day I will meet you.To answer both your first question, and this one:
Yes, you can work for NASA while being an astrophysicist/theoretical physicist. They employ people from a variety of professions, not just aerospace engineers and astronauts.
Look: http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/ask_an_astronomer.html
Plus, if you are an astrophysicist, you can also become an astronaut, because they choose people from various professions, such as biologists, for example.
As far as I know, there are a multitude of people with careers in theoretical physics and astrophysics. They don't all have the brain of Fermi, trust me.
I also want to be a theoretical physicist/astrophysicist, most likely going to work for NASA. I hope my answer helped you.![]()
Having 'worked for' NASA in the past, may I offer the following perspective?Is it possible to be a theoretical physics and astrophysicist and still do independent research while working for NASA?
Andy has the gist of it but he is not completely correct either. I fall into the 3rd category listed above (Research grant recipient) and my grant allows my office to be housed within NASA. So, I am in close contact with civil servants, contractors and other grant recipients.Having 'worked for' NASA in the past, may I offer the following perspective?
First, there are lots of ways one may 'work for' NASA. Being a civil servant (government employee), a contractor/subcontractor, a research grant recipient, etc.
Civil servant: The answer to your question is 'no'.
Contractor/subcontractor: The answer to your question is likely 'no'.
Research grant recipient: The answer to your question is possibly 'yes'.
So as a theoretical physicist and astrophysicist what would I do working for NASA?Andy has the gist of it but he is not completely correct either. I fall into the 3rd category listed above (Research grant recipient) and my grant allows my office to be housed within NASA. So, I am in close contact with civil servants, contractors and other grant recipients.
I have some colleagues and friends who are civil servants (who are also theoretical physicists, as am I) and they spend the vast majority of their time doing either bureaucratic work (paperwork, forms, meetings) or engineering. They do, however, fit in some basic science from time to time when the need arises and they have the time in their schedule to do it. How much of it depends on the person really. Typically, though, any major research project is granted out.
It depends on what you like.Would I need to be an observational astrophysist or a theoreticle astrophysics?