Because this is absolutely not something I should just think about myself.
I've said to a lot of you that I study physics, but the study program I attend is actually called "Physics, Astronomy and Metereology and Oceonagraphy" (metereology and oceanography are bundled together). In the fourth semester I have to choose one of these three (and I'll go for physics). However in the third semester (this autumn) a course in either astronomy or metereology and oceonagraphy is required, but I have to choose one of these subjects (and yes I've only had mandatory courses so far).
So which one of these two would you recomend?
I would like to point out a few pros and cons, but I don't have much constructive:
On one hand there's Space, and on the other there's the rather complicated and intricate fluid systems of the atmosphere.
Both have prospects of incorporating several fields, which sounds kind of interesting
Both requires a lot of programming, which sounds dreadful
There's a chance I fail along the way, so don't believe to much in me, by the way.
Well, I know which one I'd choose. I've studied astronomy most of my life, mostly on my own, since there isn't much available around here for formal study. I had two astronomy classes in junior high - one in my grade 7 science option, in which we were allowed to choose our own group project to work on (there were a whopping FOUR students in that group; the rest of them took biology and did a lot of dissecting of innocent animals). The project we did was to make our own telescope. Since this was a county school located within city limits, there was no opportunity to test the telescope after dark as I was the only one in the group who could have made it to school after dark. So we took it out in the daytime and one student promptly did the one thing you're
not supposed to do with a telescope: Look at the Sun.
There was a section on astronomy in grade 8 science, and most of it involved writing a term paper on something that was part of the Solar System. I'm sure the teacher meant we were supposed to choose a planet to write about, but I chose the Sun (hey, it's part of the Solar System, right?
). And that's when my interest in astronomy really took off. 'Cause that's when I learned about how stars are formed, what they're made of, that there are many different kinds, how long they exist, how they die... I discovered that there were some really excellent reference books in that school library, and I spent the next year and a half reading every single one of them.
I didn't get to take any more astronomy in school, as it wasn't offered. It doesn't seem to be something the local school system encourages much, unless a particular teacher offers to teach a unit on it or is willing to supervise an extracurricular group. During my first-year practicum in the bachelor of education program back in the early '80s, I was offered the choice of which subject I wanted to do a solo class in. I chose science, and asked the teacher which units she was going to do. I was surprised and a bit shocked when she said she'd never had any intention of doing astronomy, so I said I'd do that one. The kids were very enthusiastic, and I hope they got more chances in later grades.
There was exactly one course offered many years later at the local college, which I took and loved. That was the year that Hale-Bopp came around, and I remember how excited I was when I glanced up at the sky and saw it.
Now whether
you should choose it... obviously that depends on what your interests and career goals are, and how well you could apply what you'd learn in an astronomy course.
I've never taken oceanography - never really saw any need for it, given that I live in a land-locked province many hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. I did take physical geography, though, and meteorology was included in that. That's a good, practical field of study since you can apply the knowledge in so many other fields, and in your daily life.
Space. It's just stuff out there. *waves vaguely skywards*
But other people are fired up about space, and black holes and nebula. And stuff. Which is perfectly fine.
The thing is, space is not just "out there." Space is everywhere, including Earth orbit.
Plus imagine strolling through the park in the evening with a girl - which of these 3 fields could help you best in that situation? Probably astronomy.
Good point. Some of the best times I had with my boyfriend was when we were out stargazing (really; I had my small telescope and star charts, and we spent a lot of time watching meteor showers).
My astronomy course involved three 'night labs' which were basically lame; bumbling in the dark with telescopes that should have been set up ahead of time, that were not really powerful enough to see anything interesting anyway. This meant three evenings of my college drinking opportunities that could never be made up. (Actually, only two. By the third one I figured there was no good reason not to show up drunk, so I did.)
What a shame. But there are many things to look at that don't require a telescope. For instance, Jupiter is incredibly bright this month.
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