Some Characteristics of Young Versus Established American Astronomers

The applicants for election to the International Astronomical Union from the United States in 1988 and for two tenure-track positions in astronomy or astrophysics provide a sample of 269 mostly-young astronomers (median date of Ph.D. 1982), who appear to be representative of the population intending to pursue research-oriented astronomical careers in the U. S. Out of many questions that might be asked about this population, we here explore national origins (27% are foreign born) and the length of time elapsed between B.A./B. S. and Ph.D. (the median is 6 years and increases with time). In a comparison sample of 304 established astronomers (median date of Ph.D. 1962.5), about the same fraction (23% to 28%) are foreign born, but the median time from B.A./B. S. to Ph.D. is only 5 years and was 4 years for degrees received before 1954. Both samples are about 10% female.