Description
Investigate the physical properties, origins, and evolution of celestial objects and the universe by applying physics, observations, and computation to advance knowledge and solve practical problems.
- • Study astrophysical phenomena using ground-based and space-borne telescopes and instruments.
- • Analyze research data with computational and statistical methods.
- • Present findings at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
- • Measure radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, gamma, and x-ray emissions from cosmic sources.
- • Develop and test physical models and simulations based on observations and theory.
- • Secure funding for astrophysics research.
- • Collaborate with astronomers, physicists, engineers, and data scientists on research projects.
- • Design instrumentation, data pipelines, and software for astrophysical observation and analysis.
- • Teach astrophysics and related physics courses.
- • Create and update outreach and education programs on astrophysics.
- • Model orbits, dynamics, and radiative processes; infer masses, sizes, luminosities, and motions of celestial bodies.
- • Advise observatory or space-mission operations and data strategies.
- • Review scientific proposals and manuscripts.
- • Serve on professional panels and committees.
- • Mentor graduate students and junior researchers.
- • Supervise student research in astrophysics.
- • Lead public question-and-answer sessions on astrophysics topics.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
