Would I be too old at 43 to go for a Phd in Astronomy/Astrophysics?

[Christoph D]

A little over 2 years ago, I switched from a comfortable (albeit boring and quite monotonous) banking job as a risk manager to go back to school for Astronomy and Physics, with the ultimate goal of attaining the Phd. I've been successful in my course work at a large tier 1 state school with a fairly intense physics program, and will have the equivalent of a dual BS degree in astronomy and physics by next May, at which time I will also be 43 years of age. As tough as the adjustment has been (both academically and financially), I actually enjoy the material much more than I thought I would. Though my professors all encourage me to continue on as I had originally planned, I am worried that I won't be able to find suitable work as a freshly minted Phd in about 5 or 6 years, when I will be nearly 50 years old. What do you think- would it be wiser to abort now and work with what I have, or would the Phd track still be reasonable?
I'm interested in programs at U. Washington,
U. Michigan, U. Wisconsin (Madison), U. Minnesota,
and U. Massachusettes (Amherst)
no- no loans whatsoever! "financial adjustment" means that I've lived on graduate stipends for what I've done so far, and would be doing the same thing as a Phd student- I will NOT be going into debt. Either I get support, or I don't do it.

[Michael Steen]

Congratulations on an ambitious program!! At 56, I admire your determination.
Many years ago I read a letter similar to yours in the Ann Landers advice column. A man of about your age wanted to become a physician, but he lamented that, by the time he finally got his M.D., he'd be 50. Ann's simple reply was, "And how old will you be in 8 years if you don't become a doctor?"
My humble opinion is this: Maybe you will find it hard to get work as a 50 year old astrophycisist, but without the PhD, you'll find it impossible.
What will your "fallback" position be if you give up the program now? Go back to banking?
As long as you can afford it, I say go for it. You will never never never look back with regret on the degree that you earned, but you may well rue the day that you gave up your dream.

[Carlos_dfc]

I agree - go for it!

If you can, then why not?
And even if it doesn't lead to work in that field, then it will still enrich your life/knowledge base.
(I did my Physiscs degree many years ago, and don't use it in my work at all - but I'm still happy that I did it)