The difference between astrology and astronomy
Every newspaper in the world has a daily column on astrology. How many papers carry even a weekly column on astronomy? – this is a major, disappointing difference between the two fields, as pointed out by Carl Sagan
Astronomy is a practical science built upon technical skills such as in observation, mathematics and computer programming. Astrology does not demand such complicated knowledge.
If you delete all of human history, astronomy will come up again in exactly the same manner since it is based upon facts and figures. Whereas, astrology is a product of the human imagination and will acquire different shapes and forms.
There is a Nobel Prize for astronomers who make great advances to our understanding of the universe – astronomy being a branch of physics. In astrology, there is no such honor.
According to astrology, the position of a planet such as Saturn can trigger a life changing influence on an individual located on some corner of the Earth. Astronomy denies this claim.
After decades of research, astronomy has reached to the conclusion that life on earth is made from elements that were forged in the core of dying stars – a poetically beautiful truth. Astrology could not have reached to this sophisticated result.
Historians say that astrology is 2,500 years old. On the contrary, astronomy is vastly older. The first human beings depended on astronomical events for various activities, such as in agriculture and navigation. This developed into questions like, “What’s out there?” and into inventions like the telescope.
Hence, astronomy is a natural tendency (aka curiosity) whereas astrology is derived, from observations and results in astronomy. Astrology is something that people turn to thinking it would have answers to life’s problems.
Astronomy is a healthy activity for kids to get involved in. Astrophotography is one way to get started. Whereas, a sincere belief in astrology puts children inside boxes and they grow up asking dumb questions like, “What’s your star sign?” to measure compatibility.
Reading astrology may be comforting to some people, but at only a superficial level. On the contrary, astronomy appeals to the very core of a person and may inspire them to paint a timeless piece like the “starry night”.
See more here wondersofphysics.com
Please Donate Below To Support Our Ongoing Work To Defend The Scientific Method
PRINCIPIA SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL, legally registered in the UK as a company 
incorporated for charitable purposes. Head Office: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX.
Trackback from your site.
gerald brennan
| #
The author knows nothing about astrology (the text is riddled with errors) but has established himself as an authority.
Why would anyone take this seriously?
Reply
Howdy
| #
I’ve studied Astrology, and while also interested in Astronomy, one has to be a bit more open minded. Indeed, the naming of planets are from the past gods and goddesses, so it leads to an even larger area of study. Odd that nobody recommends renaming the planets because the names are mythical don’t you think?
“After decades of research, astronomy has reached to the conclusion that life on earth is made from elements that were forged in the core of dying stars – a poetically beautiful truth.”
A truth is it, really? Then why all the references to new technologies, leading to statements like:
“not as previously thought”, or “throws new light on”, and similar?
‘Thought’ in this instance isn’t truth, it’s best guess, which means, ‘the truth isn’t actually known, and based on the empirical past, never will be – Not only that, but dying stars are distant objects one cannot tangibly see, nor state one was there to tell the truth. Putting one’s faith in technology to such a level, I see as detachment from the truth. An image is no substitute for reality.
So, not far from Astrology eh?
If the only experience of Astrology is from newspapers, or video sites, then one can be forgiven for thinking it’s all a load of codswallop, because it’s like studying Astronomy by reading comic books.
Youtube is awash with readings of a general nature that purport to predict the future, and these should not be taken note of since no two people are the same, and Astrology is not a prediction tool. These type of claims are based on the odds of it applying to somebody by chance only. I have yet to come across one that ever applied to me. Try tarot.
True Astrology is the natal birth chart, and there is no general consensus as found in science. Natal applies only to the individual. This requires serious searching and reflection. You won’t find answers to your life thus far in a matter of minutes, it takes years of study, and the answers found will show you the truth of Astrology, If, you are truthfull with yourself.
“Whereas, astrology is a product of the human imagination and will acquire different shapes and forms.”
As far as I can see, based on the past, and present of Astronomy, it is that subject that is replete with imaginative moments from those who also cannot prove their claims. I’m tired of Astronomical ‘facts’ being changed because a new this or that, led to a new belief about a claimed ‘fact’. Science is a religion, just as any other area.
Reply
JaKo
| #
Well, I always thought that “Science” (as in this case the astronomy) has always been the cheapest whore of human endeavour — as in, the easiest to subvert to “noble causes,” aka the “ruling elite’s visions.”
Let’s look at some other branches of physics — e.g., thermodynamics; that has always been a very precise and well defined / proven branch of physics, yet a few Shekels would subvert it to become a bland tool of this IPCC’s CAGW sham.
OTOH, I don’t know much about Astrology, but it seems to me that their claims are not as easily abused as the more refined or, rather, “serious” sciences…
Cheers, JaKo
Reply
John V
| #
Many years ago, a nice lady I worked with lived her life based on Astrology. She created a chart on me, and I have to say, I was pretty amazed. It wasn’t enough for me to follow Astrology, but, a great majority of the information on me was pretty spot on.
I know that anyone can create generalities on anyone and be correct as so many societal studies typically group us into 4 main groups and you can go from there. But, it was pretty cool. In my 64 years of life, that lady is still the only one I’ve met that lived it.
Reply