Astronomers study objects found in space such as planets, moons, stars, solar systems and galaxies.
Astronomy is one of the oldest fields of science.
Becoming an astronomer usually requires a high level of education such as a PhD in physics.
Strong math skills are important for astronomers.
Astronomers usually work for Universities or research institutes.
While there aren't a large number of professional astronomers compared to some other scientific fields, there are a large number of amateur astronomers who often share their findings and assist professionals.
Professional astronomers only spend a small amount of time with telescopes, most of their time is spent analyzing images and data. Some work entirely with data observed by other people.
Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that focuses on the physics of the Universe.
Galileo is often regarded as the father of modern astronomy, learn more about him by checking out our Galileo facts page.