astronomy/Astrophysics/Cosmology.. what's the diff?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gaius
  • Start date Start date
G

gaius

Guest
Astronomy/Astrophysics/Cosmology.. what's the diff? So far the only difference I've seen is how people word the reply. I need a detailed answer other than "cosmology deals with cosmos and astrophysics deals with motion" or w/e. Which would i study if I want to study the planets more than the stars? I know now the use a star's wobble to study and discover planets but i want to be a "geologist" but for other planets.

Like for Mars.. someone had to tell NASA what kinda soil was on Mars, what the weather and atmosphere is like, the temp.. ect. Someone had to tell them all of that before they could have built their robots so what would that person's job be and what do i need to study in order to do it?
 
There's really not a lot of difference. In general, someone doing observational astronomy (using telescopes and satellites to study things) would be more on the astronomy side, people who do some modeling and theory would be on the astrophysics side, and people who do the modeling and theory and apply it to the universe as a whole or the early universe would be cosmologists. But a cosmologist could have a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, or physics. In general, the physics degree is the most versatile - they always assume physicists can do astronomy, but not always that astronomers can do physics.

Major in physics, and take some courses in astronomy, geology, math, and computer science. You're probobly going to be looking for a PhD program in geophysics or astrogeology.
 
Back
Top