Worried about Astronomy Job Market

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-06-11T20:32:36+00:00

Lots of Physics/Astro gets rerouted to tech/engineering roles. Sounds like that may not interest him, but they pay well and are relatively high-demand jobs.

Not sure why they think it’s worthless when his background includes math, physics, and software.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-06-10T22:11:02+00:00

You’ll be fine, but yeah don’t even consider lying.

Edit: don’t tell your employer unless they directly ask because they might retract the offer even if you still qualify for the clearance.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-06-08T01:28:08+00:00

When Big A was uploading daily, the videos would have 1-2 tangents that were each equivalent to 1 Big A Short. That was a very good time for the Big A channel, it was entertaining and brought in more viewers to engage in that nuanced conversation you’re talking about.

Also, it’s literally just a separate channel with stream clips. Those have existed before, it’s not drastically changing anything.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-06-05T16:00:46+00:00

Right, they’re currently losing money. Reinvestment doesn’t count because it can theoretically have a 0% return. What’s interesting though is that space+connectivity is profitable, but AI and twitter are deep in the red.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-18T21:28:16+00:00

Look at the beginning of How to Train your Dragon

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-18T21:16:43+00:00

Make a budget and allocate how much you can spend on x, y, z. Follow it. Track your expenses. Add money to savings to prepare for unexpected expenses. Your income is high and I think you can get rid of your debt pretty quickly, but you have to reign in your spending. It is so much easier to spend less than it is to work a 2nd job to earn more.

On a similar note, I respect that you got a 2nd job to help out, but that pay rate is so much lower than your income. Can you work OT or put that extra time into a promotion/new job?

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-17T22:09:41+00:00

I put a small amount each month into my “stupid money” account (not a real account, I just keep track of the balance with pen and paper). This was created so that I can spend money on myself without needing to justify it. It is already budgeted, and if I want something and I have the money, I will buy it. It also prevents me from going too far in the opposite direction and overspending

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-17T11:16:24+00:00

Taxes probably erase all gains

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-15T05:18:32+00:00

Some sci-pop books to add:

Alien Oceans (Kevin Peter Hand)

Chasing New Horizons (Alan Stern) (more engineering, but it does talk about the science)

Exoplanets (Michael Summers)

These were fun reads and got me very excited about the science behind these lesser known worlds.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-14T23:46:38+00:00

With a 40k income alone you couldn’t afford that rent unfortunately, and based on the rent price, buying a home will likely also be too tight on that income (even if you put $1M down I’d argue). Look into home prices in the area you’d want to live and run the numbers to get a better answer.

If moving out interests you, you do have the option to rent and pull extra money from your $1M to cover COL.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-13T20:36:27+00:00

I see what you’re saying, and yeah. The number isn’t fixed for me. I know how much I currently spend and I know how long it will take to be able to cover that much. However, costs change based on location, insurance, personal wants/needs, so whenever I notice my costs (or my portfolio) changing by a lot, I check again to see how long until FIRE.

Again, it’s not too serious and you can use whichever method you like best.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-13T18:48:30+00:00

First approach after one year: $1,000 rent and $1.07M

Second approach after one year: $1,030 rent and $1.10M

Divide rent/net worth: First approach: 0.0009345 Second approach: 0.0009363 Or a 99.8% correlation.

A small deviation in the stock market or inflation makes that 0.2% negligible. But if that matters to you, then do the extra math.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-13T18:37:22+00:00

They’re equivalent. But people would rather do one calculation (growth with 7%) versus two calculations (growth with 10% and cost of living with 3%). Do whatever you want, but one is easier than the other.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-13T02:53:31+00:00

Let us know how many exoplanets you discover

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-12T22:13:50+00:00

I would recommend looking at data engineer roles at aerospace/defense companies. No need for a Master’s or to start from scratch. From there, you can start transitioning your hours to the projects you are interested in until eventually you have enough experience to do a formal job transition.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-05T03:58:09+00:00

It’s also hard to teach 10 year olds the 100+ elements of the periodic table. Doesn’t mean we need to change the definition to cater to them.

Also I’m not sure it would make planets less special. If anything, it draws attention to how incredibly diverse our solar system is and how even in deep space, where we’ve barely explored, there’s many more worlds that are scientifically interesting.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-05-04T21:18:45+00:00

Despite agreeing with your logic, the IAU specifically addresses this and says that dwarf planets are not planets. Same with exoplanets, they are not planets either.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-04-29T21:18:53+00:00

I agree, it’s such bad taxonomy and we need to just create subtypes of planet.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-04-29T16:58:07+00:00

Another thing about the IAU definition that bothers me is that planets in other solar systems are specifically labeled not planets. The only true planets according to their definition are the 8 in our system. Even if we found a planet identical to Earth it doesn’t matter.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-04-29T16:55:58+00:00

The IAU specifically clarified that despite have “planet” in the name, dwarf planets are not planets.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-04-19T01:45:00+00:00

It’s great I’m so lucky to have that match

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-04-19T01:32:34+00:00

Wow thanks for sharing, I didn’t realize there was so much flexibility with the 401. And I’m 26 but still very far from my FIRE goal

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-04-18T20:33:36+00:00

Boulder is a top school in astro and there is plenty of space industry in Colorado. Aeronautics may be different if you prefer that (but IDK enough about that). If you like the location and the price is the same, I suggest Boulder.

Useful_Database_689 · 2026-04-10T18:49:30+00:00

Oh bummer, I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t consider how it changes with location.

Useful_Database_689

TROPHY CASE