Masters degrees in Astronomy Observation teach postgraduates the observational techniques needed to research and record data about the visible universe.
Related subjects include Observational Astrophysics and Astronomy. Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Mathematics or Physics.
Practices within Observational Astronomy involve examining and understanding celestial objects, including their appearance, distance from Earth and position within (or sometimes beyond) our Solar System.
These courses aim to help you decipher how the components of the universe relate and interact, what they can tell us about the distant universe, and the implications of their relationship with Earth.
Training typically includes methods for designing and using observational equipment, including telescopes and satellites. Similarly, you might learn to plot the data from these techniques onto graphs to record general trends of celestial objects and related processes. For example, you could assess the velocity, magnitude or temperature of an object via radio or spectrograph observation.
Careers in this field are varied, though observational astronomers typically work on government programmes, which assign them to research involving a national observatory or spacecraft.
