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Astrophysics provides foundational principles including dynamical behaviour and evolution of celestial bodies, which are actively applied and further developed in cosmology.

Cosmology

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Cosmology is the scientific study of the universe's origin, its structure, evolution, and eventual fate. This branch of astronomy involves theories of quantum mechanics, general relativity and emission data to construct a comprehensive explanation of the cosmos.

What is Cosmology?

Cosmology is a subfield of astrophysics that seeks to understand the nature of the universe as a whole, rather than studying individual celestial objects. It delves into questions about the Universe's large-scale structure, its origins, evolution, and ultimate fate.

Key Elements of Study

  • Big Bang Theory: An explanation for the start of the universe, which occurred roughly 13.8 billion years ago.
  • Dark Matter and Dark Energy: Unseen influences affecting the formation and expansion of the universe.
  • General Relativity: Albert Einstein’s theory used to describe gravitational forces.
  • Quantum Mechanics: The branch of physics dealing with phenomena on a very small scale, such as atoms and subatomic particles.

Cosmology and Astrophysics

Though cosmology is a branch of astrophysics, it extends beyond the scope of studying individual celestial bodies or cosmic occurrences, aiming to understand the universe as a contiguous, boundless entity.

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Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a cosmological model that explains the universe's existence from a singularity - a concept derived from cosmology.
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Dark Energy
The concept of dark energy, characterized as a hypothetical form of energy that exerts a negative pressure, has become a crucial aspect in cosmology as it is believed to be responsible for the expansion of the universe.
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Space Exploration
Space exploration is dependent on cosmological understanding to predict and interpret astronomical observations, model cosmic events and guide navigation.
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Gravity
Gravity theories, particularly General Relativity, are fundamental in cosmological models to explain the structure, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe.
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Dark Matter
Dark matter is a concept that comes from the study of the universe's structure and evolution in cosmology. It is hypothesized to account for the gravitational effects that appear to be present but cannot be explained by visible matter alone.