Although space is the final frontier, it has been studied since the birth of civilisation. And, whereas early man could only gaze at the stars with his unaided eyes, astronomers today employ incredibly advanced technology to study the universe. Information is collected and processed, frequently using computers, from large telescopes on Earth to unmanned missions travelling millions of miles into deep space. 

Astronomers may research solar electrical storms, trace a meteor's thousand-year trajectory, or look for indications of life in a distant galaxy. They spend years in undergraduate and graduate school building a solid foundation in physics and math. For work in this field, a doctorate is normally required. While some of these experts study on theoretical issues about the nature of the cosmos, others focus on practical issues such as satellite communications and telescope systems. 

Astronomers are most likely to work for research institutions, universities, or museums that have planetariums. Writing grant requests for funding is frequently part of their job. It is a complicated science based on a basic concept: looking up, wondering, and wanting to know 'what's out there?'