Astronomer is a career featured in The Sims 3: Into the Future. Sims can be employed from the newspaper, computer, or stellar observatory. This is one of the only two career tracks that Sims can be employed in Oasis Landing, with the other being Bot Arena career. The career mainly focuses on Advanced Technology skill, which makes the residents of Oasis Landing very suitable to work in this career as they all have mastered the skill. It has two branches, which are Astrophysicist and Space Explorer. Astrophysicist branch requires Logic skill to master, while Space Explorer branch requires Athletic skill to master.
As Sims advance through the career ladder, they will unlock various talk interactions. At level 3 of the Astronomer career, Sims are able to check the alignment of the stars. When they do this, there's a 15% chance a meteor storm will occur. At level 6 of either branch, Sims can search for stellar activity at the stellar observatory.
In Astrophysicist branch, every career level unlocks a special celestial discovery to be discovered from searching for stellar activity. Along with the discoveries, Sims might take home valuable paintings of the space that are worth thousands of Simoleons. At the top level of the branch, there's a 50% chance Sims might discover the End of Universe from searching for stellar activity, if they haven't already.
At the top level of Space Explorer branch, Sims can travel to Simulon V through the stellar observatory. When Sims are done traveling, they may find up to 5 of star dust and dark matter. How many items Sims might find depend on how high their Advanced Technology skill is. It takes 4 hours until Sims can travel to Simulon V again.
Performance tones
Business as Usual
Research Celestial Bodies - Increases performance faster but adds stress
Float Idly in Antigravity - Increases fun but lowers performance
Meet Fellow Astronomers - Meets new coworkers
Hang Out at Planetarium - Builds relationship with coworkers
Compliment Boss' Space Suit - Builds relationship with the boss
Some of the universe's greatest heroes got their start as lowly Space Janitors, mopping floors and changing out nitrogen filters. You've got to pay your dues to reach the stars!
S M T W T F S
§23/hour
08:00 - 16:00
No Bonus
Pension: §50
Performance Factors
Mood
2) Stargazer
Scrubbing floors was hard work, but (Sim Name) displayed sufficient moxie for a promotion to Stargazer. He / She can't stop Talking About the Cosmos.
S M T W T F S
§29/hour
08:00 - 16:00
Bonus: §276
Pension: §60
Performance Factors
Mood
Perks: Unlocks "Talk about the Cosmos" interaction.
3) Planetarium Operator
Hours spent staring at the sky have qualified (Sim Name) for a promotion to Planetarium Operator. He / She's eager to lead his / her first Star Guide tour!
S M T W T F S
§38/hour
08:00 - 16:00
Bonus: §348
Pension: §80
Performance Factors
Mood
Coworkers
4) Star Specialist
(Sim Name)'s Planetarium experience has finely attuned him / her to the stars. He / She's been promoted to Star Specialist, able to read the cosmos at a glance!
Perk: Unlocks "Check the Alignment of Stars" self interaction.
5) Amateur Astronomer
(Sim Name) knows every constellation, but his / her scientific knowledge is shallow. As an Amateur Astronomer, he / she'll entertain his / her friends with astrology and a new Sprite: Astrid!
Perk: Ability to search for stellar activity at the stellar observatory. Enables Gamma Ray Burst discovery from searching for stellar activity.
7) Gamma Ray Technician
Hard work behind the telescope earned (Sim Name) a promotion to Gamma Ray Technician. He / She's now able to discover Supernovas while searching the skies.
Perk: Enables Super Nova discovery from searching for stellar activity.
8) Quantum Theorist
(Sim Name) is promoted to Quantum Theorist, prising apart the planes of the universe in search of Life on Another Planet! He / She now knows that there is such a thing... as a Tesseract.
Perk: Unlocks "Talk about Life on Another Planet" interaction. Enables Event Horizon discovery from searching for stellar activity.
9) Xenobiologist
The stars are exciting, but life on other worlds would blow (Sim Name)'s mind! He / She's been promoted to Xenobiologist, investigating Event Horizons and mysterious mineral fragments.
Perk: Enables Life on Another Planet discovery from searching for stellar activity.
10) Phase 10 Physicist
Whatever your reference frame, (Sim Name) is the planet's leading authority on astrophysics. As a Unified Field Theorist, his / her every publication overhauls centuries of scientific thought.
Perk: Enables The End of Universe discovery from searching for stellar activity.
Space Explorer Branch[]
Astronomer Career Levels - Space Explorer Branch
6) Moon Walker
Tired of his / her earthbound toils, (Sim Name) has accepted a Moon Walker job! He / She can't wait to explore space's furthest corners, starting with a Space Station.
Perk: Ability to search for stellar activity at the stellar observatory.
7) Prober of Planets
(Sim Name)'s dedication to collecting and labeling moon rocks earned him / her a promotion to Prober of Planets. Try to be gentle with their flaky crusts.
(Sim Name) has traveled further than most Sims could imagine. He / She's seen starships burning off the Shoulder of Orion. Be safe out there, Galaxian Guru!
Light-beam travel is authorized only for elite space explorers. (Sim Name)'s recent promotion to Beam Commander brings money, prestige and frequent visits to distant Simulon V!
Perk: Ability to Travel to Simulon V at the stellar observatory.
Notes[]
Despite the tooltip, Sims can actually search for stellar activity at level 6 of either branch, instead of just Astrophysicist branch.
The top level of the Astrophysicist branch, Phase 10 Physicist, appears to be a placeholder title. The career description suggests that the title should be Unified Field Theorist.
According to the career description of Xenobiologist, as well as the career perk of Quantum Theorist, it appears that the ability to search the respective discoveries from stellar activity, namely Event Horizon and Life on Another Planet, got switched around.