Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Science and research / 19-2011.00

Astronomers

Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

US jobs
2,120
Median wage
$128,820 a year
Job family
Science and research

Can agents do the work of astronomers?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 10%Provide information or assistance to the publicNot measured
  • 9%Direct scientific or technical activitiesNot measured
  • 8%Analyze data to improve operationsNot measured
  • 7%Present research or technical informationNot measured
  • 7%Assist scientists, scholars, or technical specialists with projects or researchNot measured
  • 7%Develop scientific or mathematical theories or modelsNot measured
  • 6%Supervise personnel activitiesNot measured
  • 6%Maintain current knowledge in area of expertiseNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • CORE-Benchby Princeton UniversityTask level · CORE-Bench-Hard accuracy (public test set)
    95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025
    Solved

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
  • Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
  • Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
  • Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
  • Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
  • Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
  • Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
  • Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
  • Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
  • Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
  • Review scientific proposals and research papers.
  • Raise funds for scientific research.
Other job titles for this occupation (19)

Astronomer · Astronomy Outreach Coordinator · Astrophysicist · Research Astrophysicist · Cosmologist · Extragalactic Astronomer · Galactic Astronomer · High-Energy Astrophysicist · Institute Scientist · Optical Astronomer · Planetary Astronomer · Postdoc Scientist (Postdoctoral Scientist) · Postdoctoral Associate (Postdoc Associate) · Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc Research Associate) · Postdoctoral Scholar (Postdoc Scholar) · Radio Astronomer · Solar Astronomer · Stellar Astronomer · Theoretical Astronomer