Astronomy and Astrology

Astronomy is the science of outer space, and astrology is the practice of using heavenly bodies to predict events on Earth. Many of the same words and concepts appear in both astronomy and astrology, such as constellations, the zodiac, solstices, and conjunctions. But in fact, the disciplines are distinct and separate. Astronomers study the facts of our universe, while astrologers interpret those facts in terms of human behavior and destiny.

Almost every culture on earth has developed some form of astrology, and the principles of these ancient systems remain intact today. In Western traditions, astrology is based on the idea that our lives are determined by the placement of planets and stars along a band called the zodiac. The practice originated thousands of years ago in Babylonia, and was passed on to the Greeks and Romans.

Although astronomy and astrology share some vocabulary, they have very different goals. Astronomy is a rigorous scientific discipline that studies the universe through observation and experimentation, with a focus on celestial objects such as stars, galaxies, and the solar system. Astronomers make use of a range of technological tools, including telescopes, satellites, and specialist computer programs, in order to gather information about the nature and history of the cosmos. Astronomy is a constantly developing field, with new discoveries providing space experts with fresh starting points. These scientists collaborate with a variety of other disciplines and academics, as well as with lay people, to explore close-by planets and distant stars.

The astrologer, on the other hand, uses deductive reasoning to interpret the effects of planets and stars on human life. Unlike astronomy, which seeks to establish factual claims by making repeated observations and testing predictions, astrology has no such requirement. In fact, astronomers such as Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler used astrology to guide their experiments, but it was not until Isaac Newton demonstrated the laws of gravity that astronomy separated from astrology as a true science.

Astrology has some of the trappings of a genuine science, such as complex charts and precise terminology, but it is not subject to any tests of validity. Even so, it has a broad appeal; public inquiries reveal that 41% of Americans believe in astrological predictions and 26% consult with an astrologer.

Despite its lack of scientific merit, it is possible to be both an astrologer and a scientist, just as it is possible for people to cross their fingers and knock on wood while writing grant proposals. But this is a superstitious habit that does not advance the field of science, and astronomers should not be punished for following it.

As astrologers attempt to make ever more accurate predictions, it is imperative that they keep up with the facts of the solar system. The reality is that, while the gravitational influence of planets like Jupiter might raise our tides 0.0001 inch, these effects are tiny in the grand scheme of things. It is time for astrologers to embrace this truth and stop claiming that their horoscopes can help predict the future.