Cosmos vs. Universe

[MissingLink]

Could someone please fill me in on the general consensus as to the differences between the terms Cosmos and Universe? Dictionary.com doesn’t seem to provide a difference in meaning between the two terms. My understanding is that the universe is the expansion we find ourselves in that originated with our big bang, and the cosmos is all that is and would include our universe along with all other universes that may or may not exist. Is this correct so far? I have watched a number of DVDs on cosmology and they aren’t too clear on these issues.

I’m also curious how widely held the belief in multiple universes is within astronomy. To me it is hard to imagine time and space as not being infinite. It would seem to me that if our universe is expanding than it is only one of an infinite number of universes. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[§rv]

I myself have always been confused between cosmology and astronomy. If someone could clear these things up I would be very grateful.

[Crimson]

Crimson considers "universe" and "cosmos" to be synonyms, with the latter a bit more poetic. In like fashion, "purple" and "violet" are the same, but the latter is a bit more poetic.

Cosmology is the branch of astronomy that deals with the universe as a whole--in particular, its birth (in the big bang), overall evolution, and ultimate fate.

[SouthofHeaven]

Crimson considers "universe" and "cosmos" to be synonyms, with the latter a bit more poetic. In like fashion, "purple" and "violet" are the same, but the latter is a bit more poetic.

Cosmology is the branch of astronomy that deals with the universe as a whole--in particular, its birth (in the big bang), overall evolution, and ultimate fate.

I don't know if I would call cosmology a "branch" of astronomy. More like a brother along with astrophysics. Cosmology tends to be theory based and astronomy and astrophysics tend to observationally based. What I remember from Astronomy 101, is the cosmologist that use astronomy and astrophysics to prove or disprove their mathematical theories of the universe.

All three are intertwined feeding off of each other and giving each other support.

[ToSeek]

In the Dewey Decimal System, astronomy is 520 and cosmology is a subset at 523.1. That's good enough for me!

[Alex W.]

[Harry Hill]There's only one way to settle this! FIIIGHT![/Harry Hill]


Very obscure UK TV joke there. Visualising how they'd represent the cosmos and universe is a bit of a puzzle...

[MissingLink]

Does anyone have info. on the other part of my question regarding multiple universes? I still would also appreciate any more info on the difference between the universe and the cosmos.

Thanks

[Normandy6644]

I think trying to define cosmos as having to do with multiple universes is ok, but not necessarily the only definition. Cosmology is more theory based (as has been previously mentioned), where astronomy is more observational/empirical. As for "universe" vs. "cosmos," there really isn't much of a difference, though I don't see why your parallel/multiple universe definition couldn't also be applied in order to specify a bit more. In the words of Carl Sagan, "The cosmos is all there is, all there was, and all there ever will be."

[Plat]

cosmology > astronomy

[Mykemykemyke]

I myself is wondering about multiple universes. With us (or them) being millions of light years away, I honestly think it's possible that there are other universes waiting to be discovered.

[Fiery Phoenix]

I myself is wondering about multiple universes. With us (or them) being millions of light years away, I honestly think it's possible that there are other universes waiting to be discovered.

The question would be, what is the probability that there are other universes? Also, how would we know if we did discover another universe? How would we identify that other universe? We may have well discovered several other universes now, but just don't realize it.

[Jens]

It's interesting to think of the etymologies. Cosmos comes from a Greek word meaning "order." So in a sense, it refers to the order of the universe. Astronomy comes from the Greek word for stars, though stars meant "heavenly bodies" rather than just stars in the modern sense. Universe comes from "uni" (one) and "versus" (turn into), so it means a unity of the whole or something like that. The current definitions are clearly fluid.

My impression was always that "cosmos" was more popular in Russia and "aster" in the English speaking world. Hence the difference between cosmonauts and astronauts. But that's probably a simplification.

[Fiery Phoenix]

Well put and thought out, Jens.

[Cougar]

Could someone please fill me in on the general consensus as to the differences between the terms Cosmos and Universe?... My understanding is that the universe is the expansion we find ourselves in that originated with our big bang, and the cosmos is all that is and would include our universe along with all other universes that may or may not exist.

Well, 'cosmos' does not necessarily imply the concept of multiple universes, but in broad, general terms, 'universe' does seem to be slightly more specific than 'cosmos'. As Jens points out, the meaning of words is not always fixed in stone and may evolve depending on usage and context.

In this case, the meaning of 'universe' has recently evolved due to the context of scientific speculations about a 'multiverse', in which case, as you say, 'universe' refers to our universe, and not any possible other universe. 'Cosmos' seems to be slightly more general and does not readily suffer from this specificity.

I’m also curious how widely held the belief in multiple universes is within astronomy.

I'd say not very widely held. I'd add that most scientists don't 'believe' such speculations. The multiverse idea is a hypothesis that some scientists are investigating. One can certainly investigate something and even find some support for it, but any personal belief is not really relevant to the resolution of the question. It seems to me that any support for the multiverse hypothesis is currently more philosophical than empirical. In fact, that's one of the criticisms of the idea: How could could we ever find any empirical support when, by definition, any other 'bubble universe' is forever outside our view?

To me it is hard to imagine time and space as not being infinite.

Well, you're not alone there, but this is totally subjective. Personally, I feel the concept of infinity is troublesome.

It would seem to me that if our universe is expanding, then it is only one of an infinite number of universes.

This is not a logical consequence.

[baiboo]

as far as i know COSMOLOGY is The study of the physical universe considered as a totality of phenomena in time and space.
The astrophysical study of the history, structure, and constituent dynamics of the universe.
A specific theory or model of this structure and these dynamics.




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[Argos]

It's interesting to think of the etymologies. Cosmos comes from a Greek word meaning "order." So in a sense, it refers to the order of the universe.

Well put. The word 'Cosmos' is somewhat loaded with religious undertones [creation > order > determinism]. At the very basic level the universe has no 'order'. Entropy ensures that disorder increases with time.