Astrophysics vs. Cosmology — What's the Difference?

The branch of astronomy dealing with the physical nature of celestial bodies and phenomena.

An area of astronomy that explores the large-scale properties of the universe.

The study of the universe through the laws of physics.

The study of theoretical concepts like dark matter and dark energy.

A science that quantitatively describes the interactions among celestial bodies.

The science of the origin and development of the universe.

The investigation of the electromagnetic properties of celestial objects.

The study of the cosmic microwave background radiation to understand the early universe.

A discipline that includes studying the life cycle of stars.

A field that examines the rate of expansion of the universe.

Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. Among the subjects studied are the Sun, other stars, galaxies, extrasolar planets, the interstellar medium and the cosmic microwave background.

Cosmology (from Greek κόσμος, kosmos "world" and -λογία, -logia "study of") is a branch of astronomy concerned with the study of the origin and chronology of the universe. Physical cosmology is the study of the universe's origin, its large-scale structures and dynamics, and the ultimate fate of the universe, including the laws of science that govern these areas.The term cosmology was first used in English in 1656 in Thomas Blount's Glossographia, and in 1731 taken up in Latin by German philosopher Christian Wolff, in Cosmologia Generalis.Religious or mythological cosmology is a body of beliefs based on mythological, religious, and esoteric literature and traditions of creation myths and eschatology.

The branch of applied physics that deals with astronomical phenomena.

The study of the physical universe considered as a totality of phenomena in time and space.

The branch of astronomy or physics that deals with the physical properties of celestial bodies and with the interaction between matter and radiation in celestial bodies and in the space between them.

The astrophysical study of the history, structure, and constituent dynamics of the universe.

The concerned with the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies.

A specific theory or model of this structure and these dynamics.

The science treating of the physical characteristics of the stars and other heavenly bodies, their chemical constitution, light, heat, atmospheres, etc. It is a branch of astronomy.

A philosophical, religious, or mythical explanation of the nature and structure of the universe.

The branch of astronomy concerned with the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies

The study of the physical universe, its structure, dynamics, origin and evolution, and fate.

A metaphysical study into the origin and nature of the universe.

A particular view (cultural or religious) of the structure and origin of the universe.

The branch of science or philosophy dealing with the origin and nature of the universe as a whole.

A treatise dealing with the original and structure of the universe.

The metaphysical study of the origin and nature of the universe

The branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and evolution and structure of the universe

Astrophysics primarily explains the physical aspects of celestial phenomena, not the ultimate origin of the universe, which is the main focus of cosmology.

Astrophysics focuses on the physical characteristics of individual celestial bodies, whereas cosmology deals with the universe as a whole.

Major theories in cosmology include the Big Bang theory, cosmic inflation, and general relativity.

Cosmology studies the large-scale properties, origin, and evolution of the universe.

Cosmologists analyze data from satellite observations of cosmic microwave background radiation and galaxy distributions.

Astrophysicists use methods like parallax, standard candles (e.g., supernovae), and redshift measurements to calculate distances.

Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that applies the laws of physics to explain the properties and phenomena of celestial bodies.

Discoveries in astrophysics can have technological spin-offs, enhance our understanding of physics, and influence technology development.

Cosmology seeks to predict the universe’s fate by understanding current and past states, like its expansion rate and density.

Astrophysics uses telescopes, spectrometers, and other observational instruments to study celestial objects.

The cosmic microwave background provides evidence of the universe’s conditions shortly after the Big Bang, crucial for cosmological theories.

Dark matter is hypothesized to account for a significant portion of the total mass in the universe, affecting its structure and expansion.

Cosmology addresses questions about the universe's age, composition, and ultimate fate.

Dark energy is thought to be responsible for the acceleration of the universe’s expansion, whereas dark matter contributes to its gravitational framework.

Black holes are studied in astrophysics to understand their formation, properties, and effects on surrounding matter.