35 Interesting Cosmology Facts For You To Understand About The Subject

Nidhi Sahai
Jan 26, 2023 By Nidhi Sahai
Originally Published on Jan 31, 2022
Edited by Rhea Nischal
Fact-checked by Vikhaash Sundararaj
Read these intriguing cosmology facts here at Kidadl to better understand the universe.
?
Age: 3-18
Read time: 7.7 Min

Cosmology has come to term from the Greek words 'kosmos', which means ‘world’, and 'logia', which means ‘study of’.

This nature of study deals with the evolution, life, origin, and ultimate fate of the entire universe. This term was first used in English in 1656 in Glossographia by Thomas Blount.

Cosmology is the study of the evolution and genesis of the universe, from the Big Bang to the present day and beyond.

According to NASA, cosmology is described as 'the scientific study of the vast scale properties of the cosmos as a whole'.

Cosmologists argue over exotic concepts like dark matter, string theory, and dark energy, as well as whether there is only one universe or several worlds (sometimes referred to as the multiverse).

While other schools of astronomy concentrate on specific objects, events, or groups of objects, cosmology considers the entire cosmos from conception to death, with a variety of mysteries at each stage.

People used to believe that the universe was just the Milky Way galaxy. But with the invention of the telescope, astronomers dived deep into the existence of different galaxies, the sky, stars, and planets, and understood the expansion of the universe.

Astronomers studied the age of the observable universe and its energy density and hence estimated the approximate figure of 13 billion years.

It is estimated that the cosmos has 100 billion galaxies. There could be billions of stars in each galaxy. Our sun is merely one among billions of stars in our own galaxy, the Milky Way.

There are an estimated 200–400 billion planets in the Milky Way alone. The universe is unimaginably large! In fact, it's impossible to know everything about it.

Even if we could travel to every planet and explore every corner of the universe, there would still be things that we don't know. That's because the universe is constantly expanding and evolving.

As humans, we're limited by our size and lifespan. We can only understand so much of what's going on around us. But that doesn't mean we can't appreciate the universe for its beauty and mystery.

Facts About Cosmology

Cosmology is the study of the entire cosmos. Cosmologists look at everything from the Big Bang to the current state of the universe. Here are some interesting facts about cosmology:

  • Cosmology is a relatively new field of study. It was only in the '20s that scientists began to seriously consider the idea that the universe is under expansion now.
  • The Big Bang Theory is among the most commonly accepted cosmological ideas in the world. According to this hypothesis, the cosmos originated as a single, infinitely dense point that expanded forth over 14 billion years ago.
  • According to current estimates, there are around 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe.
  • Cosmology is constantly changing as new information and theories are discovered. For example, the concept of dark matter exists, and dark energy was only confirmed in the 2000s.
  • Astronomer Edwin Hubble made the startling discovery that the universe was expanding rather than static in the 20s.
  • It has long been considered, however, that the gravitational pull of mass in the cosmos may slow or even stop this expansion.
  • A long time ago, the Hubble Space Telescope investigated very distant supernovas in 1998 and discovered that the cosmos was growing more slowly than it is now. This perplexing discovery suggests that the universe's fast expansion is being driven by an unfathomable force known as dark energy.
  • While dark energy is believed to be the mysterious force that is tearing the cosmos away at ever-faster speeds, it is still one of science's greatest mysteries since its detection is elusive for scientists.
  • The universe has things that we cannot even see, not even with the best telescope. The galaxies, planets, and stars that have been detected till now are just 4-5% of the universe we know.
  • The rest, 95%, has those substances which we cannot spot or comprehend.
  • Some elusive substances like dark matter and dark energy are those substances that haven’t even been detected yet by astronomers, but whose existence is based on the gravitational influence that they both exert on normal matter.
  • Light echoes from the Big Bang, which formed the cosmos 13.7 billion years ago, make up the cosmic microwave background. As a pocked veil of radiation, this relic of the Big Bang explosion floats over space.
  • The Planck mission of the European Space Agency surveyed the whole sky in microwave light to provide fresh clues about the origins of the cosmos.
  • Planck's observations are the most exacting ever acquired images of the cosmic microwave background. Scientists want to utilize the mission's data to answer some of cosmology's most vexing mysteries, like what happened right after the cosmos was created.

Cosmology Vs Astronomy

Some people use the terms 'cosmology' and 'astronomy' interchangeably, but they are actually quite different disciplines. Cosmology and astronomy are two different but equally important fields of study when it comes to understanding our place in the universe.

  • Cosmology is the study of the universe as a whole, while astronomy is the study of planets in the solar system, as well as galaxies, stars, and other objects within the universe.
  • Cosmologists use mathematical models to try and understand how the universe works, while astronomers collect observations and data about specific objects.
  • Cosmology is more theoretical, while astronomy is more practical.
  • Cosmology answers big questions about the universe, such as how it began, what its future holds, and more. While astronomy can answer smaller questions, such as what kind of star a particular object is.
  • Both fields are important for understanding our place in the universe as a whole. Cosmology is a part or branch of Astronomy.
  • Astronomy has been around since ancient times when people used astronomical observation to help them navigate and predict events like eclipses.
  • Cosmology emerged as its own field in the early 20th century, when scientists began to think about the universe as a whole and how it works.
  • Cosmology is a relatively young field in comparison, but it has made huge strides in our understanding of the universe.
  • Astronomy has two fields: Observational Astronomy and Theoretical Astronomy.
  • The observational field revolves around gathering the data through observation of the objects in-universe.
  • While the theoretical revolves around analyzing the phenomena and the objects and galaxies through computers and different models. Both of these fields work together and help each other to be more productive.
  • Cosmology has three fields, they are Physical Cosmology, Religious Cosmology, and Philosophical Cosmology.
  • Physical Cosmology deals with the physical origins, the structures, and the dynamics of the Universe with its evolution.
  • Mythological Cosmology deals with the explanation of the evolution, life, origin, and ultimate fate of the universe from a religious point of view.
  • Philosophical Cosmology is the discipline of looking through a philosophical point of view and researching the reasons why we are here today.
  • Both fields are important for understanding the universe we live in.
  • Cosmology helps us answer big questions about the universe, while astronomy can help us answer smaller questions. They both provide us with valuable information about our place in the cosmos.
Our galaxy's earliest stars are estimated to be 13.75 billion years old.

The Importance Of Cosmology

The study of the entire universe is referred to as cosmology. It encompasses everything from the smallest particles to the largest structures in space. Cosmology is important because it helps us understand our place in the universe and how we came to be here. It also provides clues about the future of the universe.

  • Cosmologists use various techniques, such as observations of celestial objects and mathematical models, to learn more about cosmology.
  • One of the most exciting aspects of cosmology is that it is constantly evolving. New discoveries are being made all the time about stars and galaxies, and scientists are learning more about our place in the universe every day.
  • This makes cosmology an exciting field to be involved in, and there is always something new to explore. If you want to study more about the universe and our place in it, cosmology is the field for you.
  • There are many opportunities for researchers and students to get involved in this fascinating area of study. Consider studying cosmology if you want to try out something challenging. It may just change the way you see the world.

Types Of Cosmology

Cosmology is the study of the universe as a whole, while astronomy focuses on studying objects within our own galaxy or beyond. Cosmology is a relatively new field, and scientists are still working to answer many of the questions about our universe.

However, it is evident that there are many aspects of it that we still do not understand. There are many different types of cosmology, each with its own set of theories and models. Some of the most popular include:

  • Big Bang Cosmology: In this model, the universe began as a single point and has been expanding ever since. This theory is supported by observational evidence such as cosmic microwave background radiation. The Big Bang model was made by a Belgian priest named Georges Lemaitre in 1927.
  • Steady-State Cosmology: In this model, the universe is eternal and unchanging. It was first proposed in order to avoid the problems associated with the Big Bang theory. However, there is little evidence to back it up, and it is now regarded as outdated.
  • Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND): This theory proposes that gravity behaves differently on large scales than what is predicted by classical mechanics.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Nidhi Sahai

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication

Nidhi Sahai picture

Nidhi SahaiBachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication

Dedicated and experienced, Nidhi is a professional content writer with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality work. She has contributed her expertise to esteemed organizations, including Network 18 Media and Investment Ltd. Driven by her insatiable curiosity and love for journalism and mass communication, Nidhi pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, graduating with distinction in 2021. During her college years, she discovered her passion for Video Journalism, showcasing her skills as a videographer for her institution. Nidhi's commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond her professional pursuits. Actively engaging in volunteer work, she has contributed to various events and initiatives throughout her academic career.

Read full bio >
Fact-checked by Vikhaash Sundararaj

Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in International Business

Vikhaash Sundararaj picture

Vikhaash SundararajBachelor of Fine Arts specializing in International Business

With a background in International Business Management, having completed his degree at the University of Hull. Vikhaash has volunteered with 'Teach For India' to help students create a monthly newsletter. In his free time, he enjoys sports and was the assistant captain of his school's hockey team. He has also gained marketing experience through an internship at Decathlon Sports India.

Read full bio >