What is the difference between astrology and astronomy?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion highlights the fundamental differences between astrology and astronomy, emphasizing that astrology is a pseudoscience while astronomy is a legitimate scientific discipline. Historically, astrology was once respected, with practitioners serving as observational astronomers, but has since devolved into a practice that exploits the gullible. The conversation underscores the importance of rational thinking in distinguishing between these two fields, with astronomy grounded in scientific inquiry and astrology lacking empirical support.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of scientific methodology
  • Familiarity with the history of astronomy
  • Knowledge of the definitions of science and pseudoscience
  • Awareness of historical practices in astrology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical evolution of astronomy and astrology
  • Study the scientific method and its application in astronomy
  • Explore the psychological aspects of belief in pseudoscience
  • Investigate the role of astrology in ancient civilizations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for historians, educators, and anyone interested in the distinctions between scientific and pseudoscientific practices, particularly in the context of astronomy and astrology.

jobyts
Messages
226
Reaction score
60
Answer: About 50 IQ points
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
one ends in logy and the other ends in nomy.
 
about $9.95 a minute
 
jobyts said:
Answer: About 50 IQ points

Don't forget the 2000 years.
 
A +50 IQ can believe in astrology.
 
You can earn money with astrology but not with astronomy
 
An astrologer needs to know a little astronomy.
 
One is a branch of pseudoscience and the other is a branch of science?
 
One is proof that mankind is not a rational thinking species.
 
  • #10
Andre said:
One is proof that mankind is not a rational thinking species.

That's not a nice thing to say about astronomy. :wink:
 
  • #11
At one time, it was thought that the Earth was the center of the Universe, and it made perfect sense to try to learn more about it by studying the heavens. Astrology was not always a pseudo-science. Using the night sky as a calendar was a valuable way to track the seasons and predict seasonal flooding of the Nile, for instance. That was valuable information. Some religions ascribed special significance to astronomical bodies (generally planets) and associated them with their gods. If you were an astrologer, it was good business to track their movements against the background stars and keep the emperor/king happy.

Today's practitioners of astrology are not scientists, but quacks preying on the gullible. A couple of thousand years ago, astrologers were well-respected observational astronomers.
 
  • #12
(nm-lg)astrooy
 

Similar threads

Graduate Project Progress Report and possible Radio Astronomy Technique?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
High School Looking for a list of astronomy collaborations
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad What is column density in astronomy?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad What is the astronomy reason for no UHF channel 37?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
High School Difference between Cosmology and Astronomy
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Undergrad Observational Astronomy Project Ideas to Show Special Relativity
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
High School Need your advice how to start learning astronomy
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Stargazing What can I see with 10x50 binoculars in Bortle class 4?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Old Astronomy Book Predicts the Kuiper Belt
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Stargazing Understanding the Formula for Sunrise and Sunset Calculation
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K