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Hi, I was just wondering if there was a certain age when you decided to become a scientist?

                   -Molly S

For me it was when I was about 16. Then I had to decide what to study at University, and it was a tie between physics and astronomy, or English. Physics won!

Later on though, I had to decide whether to try and actually make a career in science. I decided that if I did not have a tenured job by the time I was 30 then I would leave the field and do something else. Luckily it all worked out OK

My parents said I was born interested in outer space, and when I could talk, asked questions about space. When I could, I read my older brother's books on space and some from the local library.

Dear Molly,

I knew I wanted to be an astronomer when I was 10 years old. It was seeing beautiful images of planets that inspired me. Also going to a planetarium show in Buenos Aires with my Dad (I was born in Cordoba, Argentina). Then, it was really good that I liked math!

Isabel

Interesting question.  I don't know exactly about becoming a scientist exactly, but I knew when I wanted to be an astronomer!  I was on a winter nighttime snowshoe trip, the sky was clear, and Orion was rising.  It was the most amazing, beautiful sight I'd ever seen and I decided right then & there to become an astronomer.  I was 8.  I also recall in highschool getting overwhelmed/bored/confused with all of the terminology in biology, and it reaffirmed that I just wasn't gonna do that!