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Asked by jjfarooq to Dalya, Derek, Sarah, Tim, Tom on 18 Jun 2011.
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Sarah Thomas answered on 10 Jun 2011:
Well here is a link to the universities ranking website which will show you the best universities to go to study Astronomy:
http://www.university-list.net/uk/rank/univ-10168.html
As far as grades (I don’t know if you are in England or Scotland but I’ll make a guess and tell you the A level requirements and if I’m wrong, get in touch) you will need at least 3 A levels and the grades you need depend on which university but for an example, to get into Edinburgh you would need A B B at least.
And the two most important subjects at school for you are Maths and Physics so study hard and try and get As if you can!!
In the meantime, you could find out if there is an observatory near where you live that you could go and visit. The people that work there will be able to tell you lots about where they studied astronomy and give you lots of advice!
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Tim Millar answered on 10 Jun 2011:
Choosing science GSCEs and A leves especially Physics and Maths. Join a local astronomy club, buy a book of the stars, go outside and look up, al of the above. Patrick Moore is self taught, but a very good amateur.
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Derek McKay-Bukowski answered on 10 Jun 2011:
You can start, simply by picking up some good books on the subject and reading about it. Often astronomers get started as amateurs (I certainly did a lot of amateur astronomy when I was younger… I still do occasionally too!) Start doing your own observations (I recall attempting to measure the size of the solar system during my school holidays once, using home-made equipment out of cardboard).
As you go through school and university, you will start to specialise more and more. At school, you should concentrate on maths and physics, but don’t neglect your other subjects! Usually it is when you go to university that you will start to choose the subjects that will lead to an astronomy career. Typically, you need a solid basis in mathematics and physics. Although it can be frustrating at times to be doing basic theory and mathematics, it is teaching you the tools you need for astronomical research.
A few other tips: make a point of trying to get a summer-job at an observatory, university or research lab that does astronomy and space-science – you’d be amazed at how many there are around the UK. Often it is opportunities like these that allow you to find out more about the subject and how best to go about applying. Visit science centres and planetariums.
Go along to open days and career days and look at what courses are on offer. Find out where they are, and which ones do the areas of astronomy that you are interested in.
Watch astronomy programmes on television. Hunt down websites about the subject. Get involved in online astronomy projects. Download some desktop planetarium programmes and explore.
Most importantly… enjoy the journey of discovery that will get you there in the end.
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Tom Crick answered on 18 Jun 2011:
Very easily! Good performance in physics and mathematics at school will be very important if you wish to study astronomy at university, but you can always do stuff at home. Depending where you live in the UK, there is so much to see in the night sky (even with the naked eye or a basic telescope), as long as it is not cloudy or there is too much light pollution (if you live in a city).
For example, the June 2011 lunar eclipse.
Comments
jjfarooq commented on :
thank you very much for answering all my questions
and sarah im from england