Question: What is it like being an astronomer?

Phil Sutton answered on 6 Mar 2017:

Sometimes working as an astronomer can be quite surreal. I grew up watching lots of documentaries about science and the universe. I used to watch a lot of Horizon (science program) and always thought that the astronomers had such great jobs. They were paid to look at the stars and try to understand why we are here, for me that sounded like the best job in the world. The whole time I was at school and university I had the idea that if I ever got to work or use a large telescope it would be a life dream. So about 6 years ago I had the chance to visit a large observatory and use some big telescopes. I have actually used the NOT telescope 2.6m in Canary Islands and a 1.65m one in Lithuania. Being in control of such large telescopes and being the first person to see certain objects in the sky is an incredible privilege. For me doing the job I do is like doing one of the things I most enjoy. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like a job, instead more like a hobby you get paid for.