- #1
torquemada
- 110
- 0
My main interest in physics is b/c of astronomy. I'm doing physics undergrad as a stepping stone to grad school astronomy/astrophysics. However upon introspection I notice that my main interest in space lies in the solar system and exoplanets and the potential for life. Is astronomy then the right choice, or is it too broad given that all sorts of space objects are studied? Would planetary science serve me better?
Interests aside, my main secondary concern is in the quantitative nature of the two fields. In case academia doesn't work out, I hear that the highly quantitative nature of astronomy/astrophysics makes you skilled to work in other disciplines that value intense math and reasoning (e.g. finance etc). How much less quantitative is grad-level planetary science, if it is? Do planetary scientists have the skills and knowledge to take the fruits of their labor elsewhere if academia doesn't work out for them? Or are they stuck in academia like, say, a liberal arts PhD? Or maybe somewhere in between those two extremes? Thanks
Interests aside, my main secondary concern is in the quantitative nature of the two fields. In case academia doesn't work out, I hear that the highly quantitative nature of astronomy/astrophysics makes you skilled to work in other disciplines that value intense math and reasoning (e.g. finance etc). How much less quantitative is grad-level planetary science, if it is? Do planetary scientists have the skills and knowledge to take the fruits of their labor elsewhere if academia doesn't work out for them? Or are they stuck in academia like, say, a liberal arts PhD? Or maybe somewhere in between those two extremes? Thanks