What is the difference between aviation and aeronautics?

Aeronautics and aviation are two fields that deal with the science of engineering of aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and servicing. However, aeronautics seems a bit wider than aviation in its scope of operation. These terms are sometimes used for each other, but they have wine marginal differences. Aeronautics involves the exploration of crafted that are lighter than air, such as ballistic vehicles and airships, while aviation does not deal with the lighter-than-air crafts.

Talking about the educational requirements for these fields, at the least, a bachelor's degree is needed to qualify for these professions. However, a Master's and Doctorate's degree is required in some advanced level. An interest in any of these fields simply denotes you will be getting involved in the study of manufacturing, flight, design, and maintenance of spaceship, airplanes, helicopters, or aircraft. However, the real notable difference between them is that aviation does not deal with lighter-than-air aircraft, while aeronautics does.

Aviation is the aspect of aeronautics that practice the art in aeronautics. It coves flying, operating aircraft, maintenance of aircraft, safety management, rules of the air, and so on.

Aviation started around the 18th century with the introduction of a hot air balloon, and in the early 90s, the Wright brothers constructed the first powered airplane.
Aeronautics is a broader term. It covers the entire study of the science and art of flight.

Aeronautics is divided into three major branches which are: aviation, aeronautic science, and aeronautic engineering.

The art and science design and construction of airplanes and aerodynamics are part of aeronautics not necessarily under aviation. The practical theories, navigations, how aircraft are powered are all under aeronautic as a field not under aviation.

Aviation is the vocational craft referring to mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. It began in the 18th century with the creation of the hot air balloon, an apparatus capable of existing in the atmosphere through buoyancy. The most significant advancements in aviation technology include the controlled gliding flying of Otto Lilienthal in 1896 and the construction of the first powered airplane by Orville and Wilbur Wright in the early 1900s. Since then, aviation has been technologically revolutionized by the introduction of the jet which permitted a major form of global transport.

Aeronautics is the science involved in the exploration of aircraft existing within the atmosphere. The term was originally referred solely to operating the aircraft, bit it has been expanded to include technology, business and other aircraft-related aspects. Aviation is sometimes used, as a term, with aeronautics, yet aeronautics includes lighter-than-air craft, such as airships, and includes ballistic vehicles, while aviation does not.