Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,
I recently posted a question about asking if i could create a Mars Rover would be a good science fair project. I decided that i am not at the level to build one that can transmit signals to a computer and controller. I also asked what other projects could I do in astronomy because i am in LOVE with it. All of the projects that were recommened to me sounded very interesting. However, they sound more like gathering data and interpiting it into graphs and diagrams.
Dont get me wrong, i love the ideas, but i dont think it would qualify me for state which is my biggest goal. Do you have any astronomy project ideas that actually involve an experiment? By the way, i wanted to become an astronomer but i heard that it only pays less than $60,000 a year. Do you know the average saleray of an astronomer?????
ANY ADVICE IS GLADLY EXCEPTED!!!!!!!!

First of all, let me tell you about salaries....it is really hard to predict the salary for any profession 12 years in the future. Right now, astronomers are all over the map. I can believe that some astronomers make 60,000 a year or less, but I know a few who make more than twice that. The basic requirement for a job in Astronomy is a Ph. D. , which takes at least 4 years past a bachelors degree, which should probably be in either Physics or Math, with the other as a minor. The good thing about that training is that it prepares you for a lot of different jobs, should there be no openings for astronomers. There are a lot of specialties within Astronomy. Read up on them.

A lot of the folks who work on Mars call themselves Planetary Scientists. Some were trained in Astronomy, some were trained in Chemistry, Geology, or Mineralogy, and some were even trained in Nuclear Physics.
I personally have studied Martian meteorites, and I work with Geologists and Mineralogists.

If there is an astronomy club near you, you should check them out. A lot of amateurs work with professionals on comet and asteroid surveys. It might be possible to participate with the club on a project for your science fair entry.

Paul gave you some excellent tips.

We actually have career profiles on Science Buddies.

Here's the profile for astronomer: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... c001.shtml

The average salary is higher than 60,000 (quite a bit higher!). Of course, it also depends on who you work for, what you are doing, etc.

Another area you might look into is aerospace/astro engineering.

We have some aerospace projects on Science Buddies:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... t_area.php

You should also read some scientific articles about current research being done in astronomy and aerospace. You might get an idea for a project that way. Another option is to work with a professor at a university/college who has access to expensive equipment (though this would be when you are in high school).
Read these pages about reading research articles and finding a mentor:

Finding/Reading Papers:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... pers.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... aper.shtml

Finding a Mentor:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml

Finding a Project Idea:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... 2008.shtml

Good luck!