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Volunteers and Careers in Astronomy

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Astronomy

If the Internet has as many astronomy resources as there are stars in the sky, then think of this Web guide as your map to the best and brightest. Whether you are looking for planetary data, celestial gifts, or fellow star seekers, we'll help you navigate the heavenly sphere of astronomy-related sites and tools on the Web.

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Historical and Modern Astronomy

Astronomy is one of the oldest, most popular branches of science. Unlike practitioners of medicine... read more»

Astronomy Pictures

Images from outer space are among the most popular scientific artifacts today, capturing the... read more»

Buying Telescopes, Binoculars, and Cameras

Buying the right stargazing tools can be daunting, even for seasoned experts. Telescopes,... read more»

Finding Constellations, Planets and Objects in the Night Sky

So, you've bought your telescope, done a little research, and are on your way to a star party with... read more»

Astronomy Clubs and Associations

The mantra of believers in extraterrestrial life rings true about astronomy buffs the world over:... read more»

Astronomy News

Developments in astronomy happen at the speed of light. While scientists scramble to make sense of... read more»

Volunteers and Careers in Astronomy

In 1995, the comet Hale-Bopp was concurrently discovered by two men: Alan Hale, a Ph.D.-holding astronomer, and Thomas Bopp, a factory manager who did not even own a telescope. This section is for both Bopps and aspiring Hales.

Dulcinea's Insight

  • Museums, observatories, libraries, and schools are always looking for enthusiastic, curious volunteers. Their Web sites will often have volunteer information, and if they don't, you can find their contact information and drop them a line.
  • The biggest way to contribute to the field, of course, is to pursue a career in astronomy. This doesn't necessarily mean becoming an astronaut or peering through a telescope all day. Perusing NASA's job page can give you some ideas of what's out there.
  • If you are a college student considering majoring in astronomy, you'd better have a good head for numbers. In academic terms, "astronomy" has become synonymous with "astrophysics," and pro astronomers spend more time with big math equations than big telescopes.

Dulcinea's Picks

Galaxy Zoo enables Internet volunteers to help scientists classify a million galaxies. Just sign up, do a few practice galaxies in the tutorial, and you're on your way! It's an easy, fun way to contribute to actual astronomy research and see parts of the universe nobody has ever seen before. 
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The Planetary Society was co-founded by astro-heavyweight Carl Sagan, and offers members the chance to directly contribute (mostly financially) to space technology, exploration, and government policy. If you're willing to part with some greenbacks to help build solar sails and petition Congress for NASA funding, this is the place to do it.
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Google's Lunar X Prize was announced by the X Prize Foundation in September 2007. The goal: be the first to put a robot on the surface of the moon that can roam 500 meters and broadcast a "Mooncast" back to Earth. The grand prize: $20 million. Even if you're not building a prototype yourself, check in to the site periodically to keep tabs on the world's new space race.
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The International Dark-Sky Association is dedicated to decreasing light pollution worldwide. Over 10,000 dues-paying members support dark-sky legislation, public dialogue, and coordinate "Lights Out" (people turn off nonessential lighting) events. Members get a newsletter and voting privileges in electing board members. 
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Astronomy Gifts

For years, friends and family of astronomy buffs were limited to museum emporia and shopping mall... read more»

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