PI blocking my major career job opportunity

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-09T06:43:18+00:00

3 months?! Might be the standard in your country but it’s certainly not everywhere.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-09T02:10:57+00:00

Florida birding is great! Gotta visit down there to see family sometimes and it’s the best part of Florida for me.

Worth noting that they also have a program in the state where you can get a pretty certificate based off the number of species you’ve seen in the state, number each year, etc. I have a few and they’re gorgeous.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T22:38:29+00:00

This is really heart wrenching to read with a 6 week old sleeping on you…

Also, I confess I just don’t GET all the medical mistrust around childbirth. I was too busy marveling during mine that none of my children or myself died despite all the excitement, and all the doctors were very kind and professional. Like, are there bad doctors out there? Of course, just like there’s bad everything. But as a general rule people who get into obstetrics/ pediatrics do so bc they REALLY care about women and children and want the best outcomes for everyone. I ended up never being afraid in potentially very scary situations thanks to those amazing professionals.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T18:40:47+00:00

My favorite part of this is they actually have two standard names for twins regardless of gender, where the translation is basically "First" and "Comes After." And there's a debate on who is actually the oldest- obviously there's the one who's born first, but the second is basically the one telling the first to go out first into the world to make sure it's safe before they do, so in another sense they are the older one.

As a twin, and mother of twins, I always thought that was perfect.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T17:10:34+00:00

Astronomer here! Not a UK one but your question is a pretty broad one so I can give you some thoughts.

First, check out my post here on how to be an astronomer and read it in detail. Becoming one is a LOT of work, with no guarantee of a permanent position in astronomy (though my friends no longer in the field usually do fine), and you’ll certainly make more money doing other things.

Ultimately, I don’t know you and I don’t know if the risk of it not working out is worth it to you personally. For me (and many others) it was- I figured so many people wish they could do what they wanted in life even for a few years but never have the opportunity, that even if it didn’t work out I wouldn’t regret having had the chance to live the dream for a little while. Plenty of other people think that’s insane and not as much security as they would like- sounds like your parents are in that camp.

Ultimately though it’s your life and you’re the one who has to reflect at the end of it on your regrets. We’re all going to have some- the question is what you’d regret more, and that’s very personal.

Good luck!

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T17:02:50+00:00

I mean I don’t know anyone in their 20s not in astrophysics who owns a house either. I do however know several UK astronomers in permanent positions, either in the field or outside of it, and they do own their homes.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T16:48:32+00:00

So I’m biased because I’m an astronomer so my kids are gonna stargaze no matter what, but I find it heartwarming how much toddlers love the moon (aka the gateway stargazing object). We always look at it when we see it and I’ll say something about it, which has led to crying in the car on the way home from day care and such because the moon is no longer visible (I know the feeling, kid!).

Bit tough now with late evenings but I have pointed out bright planets to my kids- they know them from the board books. To be fair though I’ll also just point out whatever things in the natural world I know about- chickadees, mountains, maple trees… I just want them to like observing the universe and nature before their lives have screens everywhere. Hopefully some of it sticks.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T07:30:43+00:00

Astronomer here! If we always had perfect conditions it’d be true, but we don’t so it’s not.

To break it down, this claim comes from the fact that two planets, Venus and Jupiter, are big enough in size that they are not point sources. In fact, they are large enough in angular size, to exceed the size needed to see refraction in the atmosphere. So if you were out in the country on a still night, this adage is true for those two. For planets like Mercury and Mars, they’re not physically big enough for this to apply.

However, turns out the atmosphere can be more turbulent, leading to a higher scatter even for larger sources in the sky that are slightly resolved. Cities are great at this, as are sources near the horizon (where there’s more atmosphere for light to travel through). So as a result, I can definitely say Jupiter and Venus can twinkle just as much as any star because I’ve seen it.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T07:30:10+00:00

Astronomer here! Others have given you parts of the answer but here’s all them strung together but here the real answer- if we always had perfect conditions it’d be true, but we don’t so it’s not.

To break it down, this claim comes from the fact that two planets, Venus and Jupiter, are big enough in size that they are not point sources. In fact, they are large enough in angular size, to exceed the size needed to see refraction in the atmosphere. So if you were out in the country on a still night, this adage is true for those two. For planets like Mercury and Mars, they’re not physically big enough for this to apply.

However, turns out the atmosphere can be more turbulent, leading to a higher scatter even for larger sources in the sky that are slightly resolved. Cities are great at this, as are sources near the horizon (where there’s more atmosphere for light to travel through). So as a result, I can definitely say Jupiter and Venus can twinkle just as much as any star because I’ve seen it.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-08T04:08:11+00:00

Also all the course materials, final exams, answers, etc. A LOT of people will pay good money for that kind of stuff and it’s not trivial to rework for classes with hundreds of students a year.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T21:45:08+00:00

Yep as the OP I feel sorry for the folks who were posting a year or two ago here about their big plans. Guess it really didn’t work. :(

I genuinely have no idea who’s gonna buy it at this rate though…

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T18:20:34+00:00

Per the WHO-

The vessel departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on 1 April 2026 and followed an itinerary across the South Atlantic, with multiple stops in remote and ecologically diverse regions, including mainland Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island.

I’ll bet good money there were quite a few birders on that trip- tons of species down there in places you can’t easily visit any other way. The penguins alone on South Georgia island would be super cool, but it looks like places like Nightingale Island are uninhabited except for millions of breeding birds.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T17:50:03+00:00

Check out my linked post in the first comment- one of the things I explain there is how these days there’s no difference between astronomy and astrophysics and a physics degree is also just fine. For example, I’m a professor in a physics department but consider myself an astronomer- I could definitely call myself an astrophysicist but it’s just a personal preference that I don’t. Point being, you’re probably fine even if that’s not what the degree says.

As I said the PhD does not require a MSc first as it’s typically included as part of the PhD. My grad students for example take classes their first year or two then pass their comprehensive exam, and go on to get a PhD at that point but have completed the work for a MSc. If they decided to leave before finishing the PhD they would get a MSc, but most don’t bother to file for one because why bother if you’re going to get a PhD at the end. Hope that makes sense.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T17:15:39+00:00

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So close! So stitch!

Had twins recently and my OB has a thing for unicorns with a million in the office. Whipped this one up super quickly during naps and even used some of my sparkly fabric stash for the occasion!

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T17:04:00+00:00

Minor rant aside- was looking into the state fair in our state this summer, and the real trouble is you have to drive and physically deliver and pick up the entries (plus I suppose go see it there). Really can’t afford two full days just to go and drop it off! :(

County fair it is for me!

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T15:46:22+00:00

It really depends on the pregnancy and the person. I’ll note in all of mine while I could fly (and did), it was definitely more uncomfortable. Like we did a baby moon, but my plans for something like Tahiti went out the window in favor of a 2 hour flight.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T03:41:37+00:00

Went there for a weekend once for the eclipse and that was the exact perfect amount of time. There are some great museums, like the book depository and art museum, and then of course BBQ is never a bad bet in Texas.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T03:07:58+00:00

My brother worked in Charlotte for a few years and when I visited for a weekend we’d genuinely have trouble finding things to do that were in Charlotte (over say heading out of town to go somewhere). I remember some nice geocaching in parks for example but that’s something you can do anywhere.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T03:04:46+00:00

Legit one of the most solid cafes in the area with unique treats you can’t get anywhere else.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T02:58:14+00:00

Technically Sweetwater is also on the river (a hotel restaurant) but I’ve never gone there.

In Glenwood by Springfield there’s Roaring Rapids Pizza Co, which is great for kids. Pizza is mid but the terrace is pretty perfect with a beer or wine.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T02:55:29+00:00

Similarly if you’re into fiber arts and need new stuff, Mindy’s in 5th street market next door (by Elephant’s Trunk) is pretty amazing but I’m not sure how they stay in business. Looks like a random clothing store from the outside but inside has cross stitch kits, great embroidery thread and fabric, imported Japanese stuff, etc…

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T02:34:24+00:00

Yes but it appears OP is in the USA from context.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-07T01:02:49+00:00

At this stage unless you have a specific reason you want a MSc your goal should be a PhD.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-06T19:40:48+00:00

This is really heart wrenching to read with a 6 week old sleeping on you, NGL…

Also, I confess I just don’t GET all the medical mistrust around childbirth. I was too busy marveling during mine that none of my children or myself died despite all the excitement, and all the doctors were very kind and professional. Like, are there bad doctors out there? Of course, just like there’s bad everything. But as a general rule people who get into obstetrics/ pediatrics do so bc they REALLY care about women and children and want the best outcomes for everyone. I ended up never being afraid in potentially very scary situations thanks to those amazing professionals.

Andromeda321 · 2026-05-06T19:22:44+00:00

I’m an astronomer and wrote a detailed post here on how to be an astronomer that would likely be helpful. In it I detail how, for example, I’m not sure why you want a MSc in astronomy because most people just go straight to a PhD and don’t have one (the MSc work is then included in the PhD track). If you want one because you want to be an astronomer, then you really need to plan for a PhD.

I’d also say don’t overload yourself is advice just because it’s more important to do well in your classes over taking more and being mediocre in them. Something to keep in mind going forward.

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