How smart do you have to be to become an astronomer? How much does the job pay?

How smart do you have to be to become an Astronomer, how much does it pay? Do you have to be really good at physics, math, etc.? Because it's been my dream since I was little but I'm just not as smart I think I have to be.|||I feel the need to point out that astronomer and astronaut are not the same career. Now that that's over with, you'll need a PhD in astronomy or physics to do much of anything in astronomy. There are very few jobs even if you have a PhD and it really doesn't pay too well considering how long it took you to get the degree (60k - 150k by the end of your career, if you're lucky). A physics major would be a good place to start, along with classes in astronomy, math, and computer science. Yes, you need to be good at physics and math.|||MOST DEGREEs call for upper level math. calculus. i barely passed college algebra... YUCK! so if you are a MATH, not arithmetic whiz (i can calculate in my head) but MATH WHIZ it is a start. physics demand math, too. astronomers follow projected paths of planets, stars, etc and analyse light frequencies, etc to make determinations about "what's up there" without BEING there.


if it is your interest, and you can get the degree, don't do it for the money. it should be quite rewarding. pay? i doubt if much under $50 thousand right out of the university and $100k and above shortly thereafter. the best part, it WON'T be boring and you will be doing what you want to do.|||i aways thought you had to be the best, i want to be an astronaut and am encouraged not to let my 4.0 gpa slip.


oh and i need to point out that an astronaut and an astronomer may not be the same career but they definately go coinside with one another. so put that in your juice box and suck it.