Re: What is the relationship between astronomy and astrology?

This is a very good question, and I have often looked for an opportunity to address some of these issues.

First, ASTRONOMY is a science, while ASTROLOGY has little basis in science and comes mainly from superstitious beliefs. You are correct in that the two fields have a common origin. In fact, many of the scientists who made great contributions to the science of Astronomy during the middle ages and Renaissance made their living by doing astrological readings and charts.

ASTRONOMY is the study of the universe, stars and planets, cosmology, and the physical nature of these systems. It makes use of many areas of physics, chemistry, and engineering, and is subject to the scientific method: the testing of hypotheses through analysis and experimentation.

ASTROLOGY is a belief system based on the mistaken idea that the planetary bodies in our solar system can have an effect on our lives, and that our destinies are cast by them due to planetary positions at the moment of our birth. There is ABSOLUTELY NO scientific evidence to support this position. Further, many astrological ideas are based on the position of the Sun as it travels through the twelve constellations of the Zodiac. (You may know your astrological "sign" to be L eo or Virgo, for example). The problem with this is that there are actually THIRTEEN zodiacal constellations (you must inlcude Ophiuchus). In fact, I was born on December 13. The astrologers would tell you that my sign is Sagittarius because the Sun was in that constellation when I was born. However, the Sun was actually in Ophiuchus when I was born!

As an experiment to see that most of this is bunk, cut the individual horoscopes from the morning newspaper without showing the name of the sign. Mix them up and see if you can pick your's out by the advice only. Chances are they will ALL apply to you (or to anyone else!)

ASTRONOMY is an exciting and fascinating hobby, as well, and I encourage you to learn more about it. Learn the sky and the constellations, and go outside on clear, dark nights with a binocular and you will see many amazing sights. Astrology, on the other hand is best left to the ignorant and the superstitious.

I hope this helps.
Frederick J. Carranti, P.E.

[Moderator's note: Astronomy is not unique in being a science with roots in a pseudoscience. Chemistry was born from alchemy.

For more on the differences between science and pseudoscience, see various books by Martin Gardner and Carl Sagan, and check out The Committee for the Scientific Investigations of Claims of the Paranormal.]