You have to wonder, given the millions of lawyers in the civilized world (maybe millions just in the U.S.?), how many of them are recognized not only for their legal work — but for their accomplishments in astronomy, too?
I know a guy named Richard Hammar who has made his mark in the legal world, by authoring some groundbreaking, authoritative books on law and the Church, and has cast his name into the night sky for award-winning astronomical photography. (You can see one of his pictures of a comet at the Sky and Telescope website; he’s also had a galaxy photo honored as a NASA “Astronomy Picture of the Day.”)
So how many eager lawyer wannabes do you think expect to find a career as part-time astronomers when they do their lsat prep studies and look forward to law school??
Attorney/Astronomer Hammar spoke many years ago to a class I was teaching. He told the students that too many undergrads looking at law school focus their major studies on 1) political science, and, 2) history. At the time, he suggested the best undergrad prep work to handle law school and the legal profession would be an undergrad emphasis on 1) political science, and, 2) English or communications. He said his experience was that communicating effectively in writing, as well as experience in public speaking, was invaluable for any would-be attorney.
I wonder these days whether he includes advice to purchase a telescope and good camera and to start looking to the night skies? Good work, Rich!