What are the most popular computer programming languages in observational astronomy?
I would like to work in the field of observational astronomy (not so much theoretical astronomy).
I currently know two computer programming languages: C# and MATLAB.
I have read that computer programming is absolutely essential to every astronomer, and that it takes a very significant part of the time of the work of most astronomers.
Therefore I would like to learn a few more programming languages. Hence my question:
What are the most common programming languages in observational astronomy?
Python is gaining popularity and replacing MATLAB in many fields of science as the tool for fast prototyping and writing research code.
For example, have a look at:
- https://www.astropy.org/
- http://www.astropython.org/
- https://python4astronomers.github.io/
- https://www.astroml.org/
- https://asteca.github.io/
(I'm not working in astronomy as a researcher but in some other field.)
Definitely Python: it's open source and free, available almost in every platform by default, has countless available packages, the community is strong and active (and growing), very gradual learning curve (ie: easy to learn), its usage is expanding _very_ quickly in the field, etc.
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Content dated before 7/24/2021 11:53 AM
pela 7 years ago
Also, many people are still using IRAF.