IKON
Edwin Powell Hubble, is known as the father of observational cosmology. He started as a Lawyer but soon realised that the profession of a lawyer is not his cup of tea and that his real passion was astronomy. So he decided to study astronomy from Yerkes Observatory. In 1917, he received a doctorate degree in astronomy from the University of Chicago.
Hubble joined the Mount Wilson Observatory in California, where he worked with two of the largest telescopes in the world, the 60-inch and 100-inch Hooker reflectors. Here, he took the photographs of Cepheid variables (special type of stars) through 100-inch reflecting Hooker telescope (the largest telescope then, financed by (John D.Hooker). This proved the existence of plenty of galaxies including our milky way.
Moreover, he also classified the galaxies which he observed, by sorting them by content, distance, brightness and shape. His observations also enabled him to come forward with Hubble’s Law in 1929 which enabled the astronomers to verify the age of the universe and proved that the universe was expanding. Hubble’s law calculates the rate at which universe expands. It states that the universe is expanding at a constant rate. came up with the ground-breaking Hubble’s Law
Hubble was instrumental in designing the largest telescope in the world, the 200-inch hale telescope. This enabled his team to explore beyond the galaxy. Hubble was also instrumental in designing the Hale telescope which was set up in Mount Palomar Observatory. Hale was four times more powerful than the Hooker telescope and was regarded as the largest telescope on earth.
What is the Job all about?
Astronomy is the branch of physics that studies celestial objects and the universe as a whole. Astronomy studies celestial objects and phenomena, while Astrophysics studies the physics of the universe
Astronomers specialize in one or more branches of astronomy:
Astrophysics is concerned with applying the concepts of physics to stellar atmospheres.
Practical Astronomy deals with the field of observation, the methods and use of astronomical instruments, deduction of data employed,
Astrometry is the study of the geometrical relations of the heavenly bodies, their positions, distances, dimensions, surface markings, and their real and apparent motions, Radio Astronomers study the source of celestial radio waves.
Many astronomers do both research and study. Research astronomers spend many hours in observatories.
Astronomers are required to record their observations and research findings so that both humanity at large and scientific laboratories use this information for further detailed research and understanding of the celestial bodies and their impact on our mother earth.
Telescope, spectrometers (to measure wavelengths of energy) photometers for measurement of light intensity. The hubble space Telescope is one of the better known Instruments used by astronomers.
Can you go for it?
Career prospects are bright for Post graduates and Ph.D’s in Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering preferably with specialization in Astronomy & Astrophysics. There are rich pickings for those who work In Government, Research Institutions and Industry.
It is desirable for a student to acquire proficiency in physics and mathematics at the graduate level and then go for advanced studies in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Is there a future in this field?
The 2011 Physics Nobel Prize winners were those who discovered the Supernova. So you can see that there is yet a lot of work still to be done in finding out answers to way the whole Universe and celestial bodies function and indeed how many more galaxies exist.
Where to Begin
in Goa:
After 10+2 – Graduate in Physics/Maths and then Post Graduate in Goa University in Physics OR take the path outside Goa as indicated below :
Outside Goa:
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIABangalore : students selected through an entrance exam (.Joint Entrance Screening Test) JEST ,.You need to pass JEST also to get admission in:
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA)Pune :. Selected candidate is required to clear the CSIR / UGC-NET / GATE exam within one year of admission (JEST)http://www.iucaa.ernet.in/~scipop/Teachers/index.html
Harish- Chandra Research Institute (Formerly Mehta Research Institute of Mathematics & Mathematical Physics);
Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubhaneswar;
Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar;
Inter-University Consortium for DAE Facilities (IUC-DAEF), Indore;
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore; National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS),
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore;
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA),
Raman Research Centre -Bangalore
Employment avenues
Scientist/Researcher/Professor in the above Institutes or Govt. of India Space Research (ISRO), Defence Research & Dev (DRDO)
Monies
The country needs the best brains for Research & Development – so the money too is good for the best talent.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/