Numerous people confuse astrology with astronomy when they actually have several differences. Mankind's known history of the universe and today's scientific knowledge are ways to tell the two apart. Astronomy is the study of matter outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Astronomy studies the chemical and physical properties of outer space. Astrology also studies the effects of apparent influence of the stars on human life. The position and movement of stars throughout the night sky determine the effects. Although astrology and astronomy both study celestial objects, astronomy is different because astronomy studies the actual bodies and the physical effects their motions have on the Earth and other planets.
Before the time of astronomy, most people believe the Earth was flat. Most cultures also believe they were in the center of the universe and all life gravitates around them. Aristarchus is one of the first people to voice his belief that the world revolves around the sun and not the other way around. People ridicule such outrageous remarks, so they disregard Aristarchus’ vision for some time. That is until around the 1500s, when Nicolaus Copernicus creates the first heliocentric model of our solar system. In this model, the sun is not the center of the model, but actually slightly off center towards one side. Galileo is extremely well known in the astronomical world. He introduces the law of time and how objects at such given distances can be easily measured by time. Galileo creates the first high powered telescope which can magnify up to twenty times. This is one of the first telescopes that can examine objects in space. Numerous celestial objects relate to the subject of astronomy. The major celestial objects of our solar system include the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. When examining the physics behind astronomy, three names come to mind: Kepler, Newton, and Einstein. Johannes Kepler is the founder of the laws of planetary motion. He is also the founder of physical astronomy. Isaac Newton is the creator of the three laws of motion: the law of inertia, the law of actions and reactions, and the law of acceleration proportional to force. Albert Einstein is the founder of general and special relativity. He is also the creator of a formula to calculate the speed of light.
The beginning of astrology dates back even further than astronomy. The Babylonians are the first people to recognize the zodiac, which is the sequence of constellations along which the sun and planets appear to move in the passage through the sky. Around the time of 3000 B.C., most of the constellations are found and named. By the sixth century B.C., the Greeks relate the constellations with their gods. A majority of the zodiac constellations are named after animals or people. Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, and Sagittarius are all of the twelve zodiacal constellations. In astrology, the effects of these constellations on humans continues to be what is studied. The position of a certain zodiac constellation in the sky determines the time of year. Folklore says if one is born under a certain sign, then they will have certain personality traits and tastes. Contrary to the common calendar, the zodiacal year begins on March 21. Each sign spends approximately thirty days in a certain position before being replaced by the following sign.
Even though both astronomy and astrology study the stars, they both do so in a completely different way. The most substantial difference between astronomy and astrology is the type of science they actually are. Astronomy is a branch of physics which studies celestial bodies. Astronomy uses formulas, measurements, and variables. Scientists consider astrology a pseudoscience, or fake science, because of interpreting the apparent effects of celestial bodies on human beings. Astrology has no formulas, measurements, and no controlled variables. Astrology cannot specifically determine whether or not these effects are actually from celestial objects, therefore astrology is not an actual science.
Astronomy is an actual science because of branching from physics, and studying actual motions and chemical properties of celestial bodies. An abundance of great astronomers such as Copernicus to Kepler, and even Einstein, pave the way to better understanding our universe. The study of other celestial objects also aids in the understanding of our own planet. However, the study of astrology only provides insight on cultural beliefs and phenomena. Because there is no scientific evidence behind whether or not the effects are real, astrology is categorized as a pseudoscience. Astrology also studies the correlation of zodiac constellations and the time of year, allowing astrology to remain a science, even if only pseudo.