Astronomy and Astrophysics

Hello,

First of all i would like to state that i'm not educated in astronomy
in any way so this question is not an "intelligent" one. I'm thinking
of studying astronomy or astrophysics in a german university (i've
found a top one), but i've been struggling to find out which one is
the proper.

I've looked at several articles from answers.google.com (which
unfortunatly is closed) to wikipedia but i don't get one thing, so i
ask the professionals.
1. If i decide to study astrophysics, i'll have to choose physics or
is there different faculty for astrophysics?
2. If i decide astronomy, is astrophysics included in the studies?
3. Which one is more advanced, better and important?
4. Some sites state that astronomy is looking in the sky and drawing
lines of planets and stars, which reminds me of the nasty astrology
and that astrophysics deals with physics of the universe. Is that
true?

Thanks in advance.

ps: i know im asking in an astronomy group but i hope you will be
democratic .

"Gif" wrote in message
...
| Hello,
|
| First of all i would like to state that i'm not educated in astronomy
| in any way so this question is not an "intelligent" one. I'm thinking
| of studying astronomy or astrophysics in a german university (i've
| found a top one), but i've been struggling to find out which one is
| the proper.
|
| I've looked at several articles from answers.google.com (which
| unfortunatly is closed) to wikipedia but i don't get one thing, so i
| ask the professionals.
| 1. If i decide to study astrophysics, i'll have to choose physics or
| is there different faculty for astrophysics?

Mathematics is essential.


| 2. If i decide astronomy, is astrophysics included in the studies?

No.

| 3. Which one is more advanced, better and important?

Astronomy.


| 4. Some sites state that astronomy is looking in the sky and drawing
| lines of planets and stars, which reminds me of the nasty astrology
| and that astrophysics deals with physics of the universe. Is that
| true?

No.

|
| Thanks in advance.
|
| ps: i know im asking in an astronomy group but i hope you will be
| democratic .

Astrophysics is largely guessing how stars work, whereas astronomy
is useful for navigation both here on Earth and interplanetary travel.

Gif wrote in news:3847f59a-96f2-4789-bbbf-
:

Hello,

First of all i would like to state that i'm not educated in astronomy
in any way so this question is not an "intelligent" one. I'm thinking
of studying astronomy or astrophysics in a german university (i've
found a top one), but i've been struggling to find out which one is
the proper.

First of all, do you know anything about either one yet? Even
as an amateur? If you have enough interest to go to university
and study this stuff, you need to have a passion for it. If
you already do have a passion, you'll already know something
of the science and would likely already know the answer to
your question.

That you don't know makes me wonder why you would have an
interest in taking 4 to 10 years of hard schooling on a
subject you know little about.



I've looked at several articles from answers.google.com (which
unfortunatly is closed) to wikipedia but i don't get one thing, so i
ask the professionals.

For all intents and purposes today, both terms are ambiguous. They
are different names for the same science. It wasn't always so, but
that's pretty much the way it is today.

BTW, that is explained in the Wikipedia articles on both subjects.

Brian
--
http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism
Seismic FAQ: http://www.skywise711.com/SeismicFAQ/SeismicFAQ.html
Quake "predictions": http://www.skywise711.com/quakes/EQDB/index.html
Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes?

Gif wrote:
Hello,

First of all i would like to state that i'm not educated in astronomy
in any way so this question is not an "intelligent" one. I'm thinking
of studying astronomy or astrophysics in a german university (i've
found a top one), but i've been struggling to find out which one is
the proper.

I can't comment speoficially on German universities, but for UK, the
answers would be

1. If i decide to study astrophysics, i'll have to choose physics or
is there different faculty for astrophysics?

Physics and Astronomy are taught by the same department in all cases
that I'm aware of.

2. If i decide astronomy, is astrophysics included in the studies?

Were you in a UK university I would say. . .
Yes, but the course is likely to include other topics that are less
clearly 'physics' topics. For example, an astronomy course is likely to
include topics such as celestial geometry (mathematics), or planetary
studies (chemistry/geology). However, physics and mathematics are the
main part of the course.

For a German university I can't say what level is expected from a first
degree course. It is possible that astronomy would be taught as a low
level, first degree with little real mathematics or physics; in which
case I'd expect astrophysics to be more challenging.

3. Which one is more advanced, better and important?

Were you in a UK university I would say. . .
Neither - there may be different emphasis in each, but both are important.

For a German university I can't say what level is expected from a first
degree course. It is possible that astronomy would be taught as a low
level, first degree with little real mathematics or physics; in which
case I'd expect astrophysics to be more challenging.


4. Some sites state that astronomy is looking in the sky and drawing
lines of planets and stars, which reminds me of the nasty astrology
and that astrophysics deals with physics of the universe. Is that
true?

No

Thanks in advance.

In many cases in UK universities, whether a degree course is described
as 'astronomy' or 'astrophysics' is irrelevant.

In article ,
Androcles wrote:
[deleted]

Before taking any advice from "Androcles" seriously, I suggest looking
at some of his other postings.

-- Richard
--
:wq

Thanks for you replies. I'll take your advices seriously.
I think things are getting more "clear" now but fortunately i still
have enough time to take a final decision.

First of all, do you know anything about either one yet? Even
as an amateur? If you have enough interest to go to university
and study this stuff, you need to have a passion for it. If
you already do have a passion, you'll already know something
of the science and would likely already know the answer to
your question.

Well honestly i can't find many ways to educate in astronomy/
astrophysics in a proper level. As for mathematics/physics, i'd say
i'm very good.

In message
, Gif
writes
Thanks for you replies. I'll take your advices seriously.
I think things are getting more "clear" now but fortunately i still
have enough time to take a final decision.

First of all, do you know anything about either one yet? Even
as an amateur? If you have enough interest to go to university
and study this stuff, you need to have a passion for it. If
you already do have a passion, you'll already know something
of the science and would likely already know the answer to
your question.

Well honestly i can't find many ways to educate in astronomy/
astrophysics in a proper level. As for mathematics/physics, i'd say
i'm very good.

One thing to bear in mind is that you may get a better (more rigorous
and general) education by taking a physics course at a university with a
very strong astronomy department and then specialising in astrophysics
in the final year. Astronomy & X courses at some universities (where X
is an unpopular hard science) are not necessarily all that worthwhile.
YMMV.

There are various introductory astrophysics texts available that are
aimed at advanced amateurs to undergraduate level and you might try
obtaining one of them through your local library. The web has some good
stuff too.

Regards,
--
Martin Brown

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Richard Tobin" wrote in message
...
| [deleted]

[deleted, you ignorant ****]

"Androcles" wrote in message
...

"Richard Tobin" wrote in message
...
Before taking any advice from "Androcles" seriously, I suggest looking
at some of his other postings.

[deleted, you ignorant ****]

Demonstrated beautifully!

"Gif" wrote in message
...
Hello,

First of all i would like to state that i'm not educated in astronomy
in any way so this question is not an "intelligent" one. I'm thinking
of studying astronomy or astrophysics in a german university (i've
found a top one), but i've been struggling to find out which one is
the proper.

I've looked at several articles from answers.google.com (which
unfortunatly is closed) to wikipedia but i don't get one thing, so i
ask the professionals.
1. If i decide to study astrophysics, i'll have to choose physics or
is there different faculty for astrophysics?
2. If i decide astronomy, is astrophysics included in the studies?
3. Which one is more advanced, better and important?
4. Some sites state that astronomy is looking in the sky and drawing
lines of planets and stars, which reminds me of the nasty astrology
and that astrophysics deals with physics of the universe. Is that
true?

Thanks in advance.

ps: i know im asking in an astronomy group but i hope you will be
democratic .

There are several universities in Germany with Astronomy or Astrophysics
degree courses. Munich, Tuebingen, and Bochum come to mind, but there must
be others. If you choose astrophysics, you will need a good
physics/mathematics background from secondary school. Around 2/3 of the
syllabus will involve courses in mathematics and physics, and all the
astrophysics and astronomy courses will involve using these subjects or
extending them. Most institutes also have associated observatories for
practical training.

These days most Astronomy or Astrophysics groups are part of a Department of
Physics and Astronomy, rather than a separate department.

You might also consider University of Vienna.

Degrees in Astronomy or Astrophysics are pretty similar these days. The
emphasis in Astronomy tends to involve better understanding of coordinate
systems and more practical skills, but the differences these days are around
10% of the total material.

--
Mike Dworetsky

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