well, you need a Ph.D. in physics basically to be an actual researching astronomer. Also, finding a position is <i>hard</i>. There are roughly 5,000 astronomers worldwide (ouch!).<br /><br />Every year ~95% of newly minted Ph.D.'s in astronomy fail to get a traditional astronomy position, as very few positions open up, and hundreds of candidates apply. So it is very, very competitive.<br /><br />However, almost every single astronomy Ph.D. gets a well paid job in the general scientific area, be it in another field or a more commercialized/industrial application.<br /><br />Having a Physics Bachelor's, should you not go all the way to the Ph.D. can also land you a solid position in many companies. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>