Aim for the STARS

Vimal Samkria

Astrophysics is an important branch of space science where the laws of physics are applied, using higher mathematics to explain the cycle of birth, life and death of all kinds of celestial bodies, including stars, planets, galaxies. This field involves knowledge of astronomy as well as cosmology.  

Astronomy deals with the observation and study of anything outside the Earth’s surface, which means the whole vast universe, while astrophysics is that part of astronomy, which involves the creation and calculation of different quantities for the study of physical and chemical properties of all the celestial bodies and matter. Cosmology, on the other end comprises the study which includes beginning and ending of the whole universe.

The inception of astronomy started with the early human who likes to gaze the twinkling objects in the sky, but the actual theoretical study started in the seventeenth century with the discoveries of new laws of physics which also seems to fit for celestial as well as terrestrial areas. There were famous researchers who studied both physics and astronomy to lay firm foundation for the current science of astrophysics. Due to the mind blowing and remarkable achievements of many prominent scientists like Lawrence Krauss, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Stephen Hawking, Hubert Reeves, Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Patrick Moore over the two centuries, nowadays, Astrophysics is seen as the most adventurous and exciting subject.

Scope 

Overall employment of astrophysicists and astronomers is projected to grow 14 per cent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for almost all occupations. The areas which will encompass this growth are: scientific research, educational and development services, healthcare and social assistance.

Job opportunities 

There are a number of possibilities open for a career for a physics / mathematics / engineering post-graduate with a specialisation or a PhD in Astronomy & Astrophysics. There are many openings in the universities for both teaching and research, especially in physics departments. The jobs in Industry are available for people with experience with sophisticated astronomical instrumentation and the expertise in computer programming. 

The person with space technology background can also apply for various government and private organisations that are responsible for the formation and development of better space vehicle.

Opportunities in Government Sector

After completion of an appropriate course in astrophysics, candidates can find job opportunities as Research Scientist in different government-run research institutions and organisations engaged in research activities in the field of Astrophysics. During the initial stages of employment, the candidates can expect a pay of around Rs 50,000-75,000 per month in government organisations. With the increase in experience, there pay scale and position also gets better. 

Subjects in Astrophysics

This program includes the subjects like Theoretical and Observational Astronomy, Astrophysics, Plasma Physics and Technology, Atmospheric and Space Science, Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Data analysis, Modelling techniques, Observational methods, Celestial navigation, Energy absorption.

Options

The career paths in astrophysics and space technology can be largely split into three areas — Scientific, Technological and Operational.

Scientific positions are mostly in governmental or transnational space agencies. These opportunities are available in various specialist areas, including data analysis, mission conception, mission control, astronautical programmes and advanced concept development. Since it is research centric, these institutions need close links to universities that will often conduct complimentary research and design instrumentation for scientific missions. 

However, on the technical side, both small but innovative companies and transnational industrial giants design and construct all types of spacecraft and associated ground systems. The people who work in these departments are often involved in the  complete lifecycle of a mission. This includes initial feasibility studies, design, manufacture and launch and finally to eventual decommissioning and disposal. The type of spacecrafts that scientists/engineers work on include: telecommunication satellites, earth observation systems (for example for disaster response and climate change monitoring), lunar probes, planetary probes and rover vehicles. 

Institute watch

• Indian Institute of Astrophysics - Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Science - Bangalore
• Raman Research Institute - Bangalore
• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics - Pune
• National Centre for Radio Astronomy - Tata Fundamental  Research Institute - Pune,
• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - Nainital
• Harish Chandra Research Institute (HRI) -  Allahabad
• Centre for Space Physics - Kolkata
• Savitribai Phule Pune University 
• Cochin Institute of Science & Technology