Should I study astronomy first or cosmology first?

[Al-Layth]

TL;DR

low IQ Question ik but im thinking
cosmology is basically deducing the
(1) Origination
(2) History of the universe until now.
Based on observering the universe as it is rn, which is what astronomy is.

So should I study Astronomy first then?

tldr summary

 

[berkeman]

What do you mean by "study"? Self-study, or study in university? What is your background in education so far in Physics and Math?

 

[Al-Layth]

What do you mean by "study"? Self-study, or study in university? What is your background in education so far in Physics and Math?

self study.

i "studied" physics in school until A-Level. (Exams at 18 years old in the UK)
Didn't truly understand anything from a truly scientific perspective but still did well in exams. I just obediently studied the proposed theories of matter, (atomic physics) the proposed theory of electromagnetism, the proposed theory of various astronomical problems like gravitation as being solved by General Relativity etc without ever assessing the observations first. I intend to study physics properly this time, by being much more evidence and observation centric.

and i'm wondering if i should study astronomy first or cosmology.

As for pure Math I have studied up until
vector calculus, some linear Algebra, differential equations.

 

[Drakkith]

I'd say you can't understand cosmology without understanding the basics of astronomy first.

 

[PeroK]

self study.

i "studied" physics in school until A-Level. (Exams at 18 years old in the UK)
Didn't truly understand anything from a truly scientific perspective but still did well in exams. I just obediently studied the proposed theories of matter, (atomic physics) the proposed theory of electromagnetism, the proposed theory of various astronomical problems like gravitation as being solved by General Relativity etc.

Since when was GR part of the A-level syllabus?

 

[Al-Layth]

Since when was GR part of the A-level syllabus?

its not a part of the syllabus. the math is much too advanced

But ideas of spacetime and matter-light contorting it were described in general terms, as if they are fact.

 

[PeroK]

its not a part of the syllabus. the math is much too advanced

But ideas of spacetime and matter-light contorting it were described in general terms, as if they are fact.

Two suggestions:

1) it might be worth getting An Introduction to Modern Cosmology by Andrew Liddle and see how you get on.

2) you could try learning SR (special relativity), as that requires only high-school maths. The first chapter of Morin's book is free online. Google for morin relativity.

Alternatively, i especially like Helliwell's book:

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/6453378-special-relativity

Re astronomy, you could buy a telescope?

 

[symbolipoint]

self study.

i "studied" physics in school until A-Level. (Exams at 18 years old in the UK)
Didn't truly understand anything from a truly scientific perspective but still did well in exams. I just obediently studied the proposed theories of matter, (atomic physics) the proposed theory of electromagnetism, the proposed theory of various astronomical problems like gravitation as being solved by General Relativity etc without ever assessing the observations first. I intend to study physics properly this time, by being much more evidence and observation centric.

and i'm wondering if i should study astronomy first or cosmology.

As for pure Math I have studied up until
vector calculus, some linear Algebra, differential equations.

My sense says, YOU want to do Astrophysics; no matter if done first or not. Just watch and attend to the official listed prerequisite courses to ensure you are qualified.