TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It)

You know something big is out there, approaching us— something hungry, something powerful beyond human comprehension— and it is coming this way.

You go through your daily life with other humans. It’s odd, how unaware they are, of the enormity of forces that claw at planet earth, from outer space.

You look into the distant nays of space, and the light that you see is very old— “fossil light”, you call it. That light took billions of years to reach your eyes.

In fact, when that light left its source, human beings did not yet exist on earth!

And yet here you are, with that light entering your eyes, sending electric messages up the synapses of your optic nerves, to form images within your brain.

You know so many things about where we are. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, spins like an immense frisbee. Earth lives in a very small solar system, way out in the boonies of the Milky Way.

How do you know all this?

And you know that Earth’s star, the one we call The Sun, is a medium-sized star, half its life gone. Nothing remarkable about our star, the solar system, or the galaxy itself.

Our planet lives in a swarm of billions of giant flying rocks called the Asteroid Belt— a collision with any one of those rocks would incinerate all life on Earth. It’s happened before. It will happen again. You know it.

But those billions of house-sized flying rocks are a minor threat, compared to something else you’ve been watching.

Because something even bigger is going to happen. Something beyond one asteroid ending life on earth. Something so catastrophic that our solar system will be devoured, along with the entire Milky Way galaxy itself.

Who are you, to know all this? How did you learn it?

The nearest galaxy, Andromeda, is twice the size of the Milky Way. Only 32 light years away. And it is heading straight toward us— at a closing rate of many thousands of miles an hour.

One day Andromeda will reach us, and devour us. Unless it’s not there anymore. Yes, you know all this, and so much more.

That’s right. When you look at it through a telescope, the light falling entering your eyes took 32 years to reach us. 32 years of traveling at the speed of light. So Andromeda could have exploded and disappeared 31 years ago, and we still would not know it for one m ore year!

How on Earth do you know all this?!!?

You know all this, because— you are an Astronomer.

You conduct research to understand the nature of the universe and everything in it. You observe, measure, interpret, and develop theories to explain celestial and physical phenomena using mathematics.

From the vastness of space, to the infinitesimal scale of subatomic particles, you study the fundamental properties of the natural world. You apply the knowledge gained to design new technologies.

Astronomers like you use the principles of physics and mathematics— to learn about the fundamental nature of the universe and its components, including the sun, moon, planets, stars, and galaxies. (That’s why Astronomy is sometimes considered a subfield of physics.)

You also apply your knowledge to solve problems in navigation, space flight, and satellite communications— even more, to develop the instrumentation and techniques used to observe and collect astronomical data.

Most astronomers work in research and development. Some conduct basic research with the sole aim of increasing scientific knowledge. Others conduct applied research and development, which builds upon the discoveries made through basic research to develop practical applications of this knowledge, such as new devices, products, and processes.

Almost all astronomers do research. Some are theoreticians, working on the laws governing the structure and evolution of astronomical objects. Others analyze large quantities of data… data gathered by observatories and satellites. You then write scientific papers or reports on your findings.

Some astronomers actually operate large space-based or ground-based telescopes, usually as part of a team. However, astronomers may spend only a few weeks each year making observations with optical telescopes, radio telescopes, and other instruments.

For many years, satellites and other space-based instruments, such as the Hubble space telescope, have provided prodigious amounts of astronomical data.

New astronomy technology has lead to improvements in analytical techniques and instruments—- computers and optical telescopes and mounts are creating a resurgence in ground-based research.

Most people are familiar with the small group of astronomers who work in museums housing planetariums. These astronomers develop and revise programs presented to the public and may direct planetarium operations.

Because of the depth of knowledge involved, a doctoral degree is the usual educational requirement for top astronomers.

Master’s degree holders qualify for some jobs in applied research and development. Bachelor’s degree holders often qualify as research assistants.

Additional experience and training in a postdoctoral research appointment, although not required, is important for physicists and astronomers aspiring to permanent positions in basic research in universities and government laboratories. Many physics and astronomy Ph.D. holders ultimately teach at the college or university level.

Master’s degree holders usually do not qualify for basic research positions, but may qualify for many kinds of jobs requiring a physics background, including positions in manufacturing and applied research and development.

Increasingly, many master’s degree programs are specifically preparing students for physics-related research and development that does not require a Ph.D. degree. These programs teach students specific research skills that can be used in private-industry jobs. In addition, a master’s degree coupled with State certification usually qualifies one for teaching jobs in high schools or at 2-year colleges.

Holders of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in astronomy might assist astronomers doing research, or operate space-based and ground-based telescopes and other astronomical instrumentation.

Those planning a career in the subject should have a strong physics background. In fact, an undergraduate degree in either physics or astronomy is excellent preparation, followed by a Ph.D. in astronomy.

In the US, employment of physicists and astronomers is expected to grow 16 percent, faster than the average (for all occupations during the 2008-18 decade).

Median annual wages of astronomers were $101,300 in May 2008.

The middle 50 percent earned between $63,610 and $133,630, the lowest 10 percent less than $45,330, and the highest 10 percent more than $156,720.

The average annual salary for astronomy and space scientists, $130,833.

About 75 universities grant degrees in astronomy, either through an astronomy, physics, or combined physics-astronomy department. With about 40 doctoral programs in astronomy, applicants face considerable competition for available slots.

Astronomers live in a much larger world than most of the rest of us.

They look into the past, and they gaze into the future. They know where we’ve been, and where we are going.

Does living in a world of limitless seeking appeal to you? Do you want to reach for the stars?

Earn the degree and become an Astronomer.

Live in an altered state of consciousness, ever-enlarging.

Spend your life gazing into the dawn of time, into creation itself, and behold TEOTWAWKI!

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