Also called: Observatory Night Assistant, Telescope Systems Specialist
Runs a giant ground-based telescope through the night for visiting astronomers.
You arrive at a mountaintop observatory at sunset, open the dome, and spend the night steering the telescope and watching the weather. You go to bed as the sun rises.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in physics, astronomy, or engineering; some learn on the job.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Astronomy, Physics.
Growing slowly. Very few positions; mostly at large observatories.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Robotic and remote observing automate many telescopes, so fewer night operators; big observatories still need some.
Classes: Physics, Astronomy, Computer science, Electronics CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4099.
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