Astronomy vs. Cosmology — What's the Difference?

Astronomy (from Greek: ἀστρονομία, literally meaning the science that studies the laws of the stars) is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution.

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 scientific study of matter and phenomena in the universe, especially in outer space, including the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial objects.

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

A system of knowledge or beliefs about celestial phenomena

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

The study of the physical universe beyond the Earth's atmosphere, including the process of mapping locations and properties of the matter and radiation in the universe.

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

(obsolete) Astrology.

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

Astrology.

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

The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the causes of their various phenomena.

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

A treatise on, or text-book of, the science.

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

The branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole

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