Astronomy is what type of science

Philip David Nicholson. Michael Niemack. Matthew E. Dmitry Savransky. Gordon John Stacey. Saul A Teukolsky. Graduate School Fields of Study. Astronomy and Space Sciences Field Description Members of the staff are particularly interested in directing graduate research in the following subjects: Astronomy - The general field of natural science concerned with celestial objects including Solar System, Galactic and Extragalactic objects.

Most of the enrolled students in the field work in this overarching area. Astrobiology - The subfield concerned with the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the Universe. It comprises both observational and theoretical studies of the possibilities for life in the Universe. Astrophysics - The application of physics and related sciences to explain natural phenomena in the general field of Astronomy. Students that engage in substantial quantitative research in Astronomy generally work in this area.

Astrostatistics - The subfield concerned with the analysis of data relevant to Astronomy and Space Sciences by the methods of statistics, data mining and machine learning. The following are examples of types of astronomers who specialize by the objects and phenomena they study:.

Cosmologists and extragalactic astronomers study the entire universe. They study the creation, evolution, and possible futures of the universe and its galaxies. These scientists have recently developed several theories important to the study of physics and astronomy, including string, dark-matter, and dark-energy theories.

Galactic, planetary, solar, and stellar astronomers study phenomena that take place in the universe at the scale of stars, planets, and solar systems. For example, these astronomers study the sun, stellar evolution, planetary formation, and interactions between stars.

Optical and radio astronomers use optical or radio telescopes to study motions and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the larger scale structure of the universe. Growing numbers of physicists work in interdisciplinary fields, such as biophysics, chemical physics, and geophysics. Many people with a physics or astronomy background become professors or teachers. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older.

This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. California State University, Northridge - Home". Fall Service Updates. Physics and Astronomy. Christina Mayberry. Email Me. What Physicists and Astronomers Do Physicists and astronomers study the ways in which various forms of matter and energy interact. Duties Physicists and astronomers typically do the following: Develop scientific theories and models that attempt to explain the properties of the natural world, such as the force of gravity or the formation of sub-atomic particles Plan and conduct scientific experiments and studies to test theories and discover properties of matter and energy Write proposals and apply for funding to conduct research Do complex mathematical calculations to analyze physical and astronomical data, such as data that may indicate the existence of planets in distant solar systems or new properties of materials Design new scientific equipment, such as telescopes and lasers Develop computer software to analyze and model data Write scientific papers that may be published in scholarly journals Present research findings at scientific conferences and lectures Physicists explore the fundamental properties and laws that govern space, time, energy, and matter.

University and city buses provide free transportation all around Grounds, the city, and the shopping centers north of Charlottesville. Go play outside! For those who love the outdoors, there are beautiful national parks and recreational areas with camping, hiking, and skiing just minutes away.

If you have specific questions, you can email the Director of the Undergraduate Program at astro-ugradadv virginia. Skip to main content. Why Study Astronomy? What is Astronomy? Why study Astronomy at UVA? In recent years undergraduates have participated in research in the following fields: The Milky Way and the Local Group of galaxies Steve Majewski High energy astrophysics, including black holes and clusters of galaxies Craig Sarazin Astronomy instrumentation, especially detectors of infrared light Mike Skrutskie Star formation in other galaxies Kelsey Johnson Education and public outreach that brings astronomy to the people and classrooms of Virginia Ed Murphy To see a list of all the research that goes on in our department, click here.

Students can take advantage of all the courses our department offers through one of two majors: The Astronomy Major, which is meant for students who have a strong interest in astronomy but are not looking for an intensive science program The Astronomy-Physics Major, which gives students a strong background in physics and math, and is meant for students looking to pursue a professional career in astronomy Our undergraduates have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty.

Students needn't travel far to experience the wonders of the Universe, as we operate two observatories locally: The Leander McCormick Observatory , situated on Mt. Jefferson on the UVa Grounds, houses one of the largest refractors in the world one of the oldest operating telescopes in the United States. Fan Mountain Observatory is a fully functioning research and education observatory located just 15 miles south of Charlottesville. Careers in Astronomy An Astronomy major gains skills in a wide range of fields including physics, math, computer science, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Life in Charlottesville Charlottesville has the cosmopolitan feel of a big city combined with the cozy atmosphere of a college town.