From Dr. Mark Hammergren:

Q: What is an astronomer?

A: An astronomer is a scientist who studies the universe and everything inside of it. 

Nowadays, this includes subjects like biology and, of course, history.

Q: Why do astronomers need to study history?

A: Because to know where we’re going, we need to know where we have been

in terms of science and the whole human experience.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being an astronomer?

A: Discovery. I have the chance to see things and understand things that

no human has ever seen or done before. It’s almost like “Star Trek.”

Q: Did you always want to be an astronomer?

A: I’ve always been interested in space, but for a long time, 

I thought I was going to be a rocket scientist.

 Then, I found out that I was really good at astronomy, and that I really liked it,

 and also that I could get paid for doing it!

Q: What do you have to do to become an astronomer?

A: To be an astronomer you have to go to college and get a bachelor’s

degree in a physical science, usually in physics. Then, you have to

continue on to graduate school to study astronomy.

Q: What advice do you have for kids who want to become astronomers?

A: Work on your math and science skills, and also make sure you can work

well with other people. Most science is done with groups of researchers.

Q: What is your favorite thing to look at through a telescope?

A: Most of my research has been on asteroids, but I’ve always been fond

of the planet Mars. I think Mars, of any planet in our Solar System, looks

most like the Earth. I can imagine that I am exploring its surface and

living in a colony there.

Q: Do you think aliens exist?

A: I’m sure life exists elsewhere in the universe, and I’m pretty sure

that other intelligent life exists, but maybe not in our own galaxy.

Could there be life throughout the universe?  Click here.