Astronomy vs. Astrology: A Constellation Of Contrasts

The terms astronomy and astrology are commonly confused, which isn’t surprising, considering they both involve studying the stars and both begin with the combining form astro- (referring to stars or celestial bodies). However, only one of these star-gazing terms refers to a recognized branch of science. 

In this article, we will state the difference between astronomy and astrology, explain why only one is considered a science, and give a brief history of how astronomy and astrology became distinctly different things.

What is the difference between astronomy and astrology?

Astronomy is the branch of science that studies everything outside of Earth’s atmosphere. This includes things in our solar system, such as the sun, the moon, and the other planets. It also includes things located very far away in outer space, such as other galaxies, distant stars, and black holes. Astronomers (people who study astronomy) may also research subatomic particles and theoretical things that may be out in space, such as dark matter. Astronomy often involves the use of scientific equipment, such as telescopes and satellites. 

Astrology is a nonscientific practice in which a person uses the position of celestial objects (such as stars and planets) to make conclusions about people or future events. Astrologers (people who study astrology) believe that celestial objects are linked to human behavior. For example, it is a common belief in astrology that a person’s personality traits align with the zodiacal constellation that was in the sky when they were born. As well, astrologers believe that a horoscope (a map of the position of the stars and planets) can be used to predict a person’s future. 

In general, astronomy is accepted as a science, while astrology is not. Astronomy relies on the proper use of the scientific method and scientific research to make verifiable conclusions that can be tested with repeatable experiments. 

Astrology, on the other hand, makes predictions or conclusions that can’t be proved or disproved and uses logic that is often based on cultural traditions rather than scientific research or a scientific understanding of the universe. 

In simpler terms, astronomy is based on science, while astrology is not; there is currently no scientific evidence that shows the position of celestial objects can influence human behavior in the meaningful ways that astrology suggests. 

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The desire to use celestial bodies to predict the future helped lead to the emergence of the science of astronomy. Ancient civilizations, such as the Babylonians and Romans, correctly determined that celestial objects could affect Earth’s environment, such as the movement of the sun being responsible for the changing seasons. At the same time, they often attributed too much to celestial influence because many cultures believed outer space to be the realm of the gods and celestial events as proof that the gods were influencing life on Earth. Most sources argue that astronomy and astrology truly split from each other during the Enlightenment period of the 1600s and 1700s, when the first telescopes were being used and astronomers and physicists were able to use Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and gravity to finally explain what was actually happening in outer space. 

Because both astronomy and astrology are interested in outer space, you’ll hear some terms used in both subjects. Constellations, the zodiac, the solstices, and conjunctions are some of the examples both astronomers and astrologers are interested in, although for different reasons.