Astronomy not astrology!

[Robh (Rob)]

Some history ...
Until the 14th Century, astrology and astronomy were often indistinguishable. Astrologers believed that celestial bodies directly influenced human behaviour. Astronomical observations were often made so that astrologers could attempt to predict the course of human events. Astronomy diverged from astrology during the Renaissance and, after the 18th Century, astronomy became a purely scientific study.

My story ...
A few weeks ago, I had dinner with some friends. A friend (who will remain nameless) asked me how my astrology was going.
I laughed and said it was astronomy not astrology! I said I do real science; astrology has no basis in reality. I added, it is ridiculous to think all Virgos have the same traits or that a daily horoscope will apply to everyone belonging to a certain star sign.

I was told that I should keep an open mind!!!

Anyone else had to defend this position?
I'm a non-believer but I thought I'd sample the IIS clan just for curiosity.
Astrology, daily horoscopes, traits determined by star sign.
Fact or fiction?

Seriously, but maybe not, Rob.

[ngcles]

Hi Rob & All,

Originally Posted by Robh

I was told that I should keep an open mind!!!

Anyone else had to defend this position?

Have I had to defend this position? Working at Sydney Observatory -- probably several times per week.

Keep an open mind? -- If you keep your mind that far open, your brains will fall out.


Best,

Les D

[mark3d]

of course its absurd that alignment of the stars at birth can influence someones personality - carl sagain argued that the doctor delivering the baby has a greater gravitational effect on the baby than the closest planetary body mars )

however, i think its perfectly feasible that the horoscope is correlated with various conditions that might affect human development. for example children born in winter will be taken outside less, and exposed to less sun, which may influence them for certain traits. different environments make even genetically identical twins develop differently.

a lot of people uncannilly fit their star sign... there might be something in it


.

[TrevorW]

a lot of people uncannilly fit their star sign... there might be something in it


Or is it in time the star signs have been made to fit the people, I've often read them and thought how general they were could apply to anyone given the situation

[marki]

Pure BS. I often have to defend my position on this as my workmates insist on reading out horoscopes every morning over coffee. The last "five star day" prediction I had went like this. Whilst day dreaming on the way to work I clipped a curb that had a drain cut into it and destroyed both left side rims and tyres. Luckily I was close to work so I continued to drive the 500 odd meters making more of a mess. In between classes I was running around trying to find spares and in the act of carrying the broken bits up the stairs to my office slipped and fell all the way down carving skin of my shins and nearly bit my toungue off (ouch). One of the wheels followed me down and hit me on the head just to add to the pain. When I finally got it all sorted it cost me $2500.00 to go to work that day. 5 star day indeed .


Mark

[PeterM]

After showing who knows how many thousands of people through telescopes over the years the astrology/astronomy question was raised less than a dozen times, mostly people wanting to see "their" constellation. Sure I would point it out and leave it at that and it never went any further.
At a ske_ _ ics (changed to protect the innocent) dinner many. many years ago (and I have a witness) I managed to convince a few partners that I was an astrologer and was happy to read their futures through tea leaves for a fee of $10, yep I even had takers ready to fork over their ten bucks! That would have easily paid for my dinner and some.
So who is better off financially amateur/professional astronomers or astrologers I ask? Many professionals I have met seem to be scraping through, but happy. Astrologers I read about seem to be very, very happy.
To me it's crap, but it seems to pay very, very well indeed and therein lies the answer to my question. Hmmm... could be a definite way to owning the latest RC telescope with the best Paramount, the best Naglers and the best SBIG camera.
I can provide you with a Hororscope for only $50 each (I am good at this so I charge more). Send me your money first and I will send you your hororscope.
But how accurate you ask? Here is my prediction - that nobody will send me $50 - so how is that for a 100% accurate prediction for starters, how good am I!
So my suggestion is to run with it and if they are really serious get them to part with their hard earned cash, you will be the better off for it.
PeterM.

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Not something that has happened often (getting the two mixed up). But what really annoys is finding the Astronomy magazines in the "New Age" section at the newsagents.

Bill

[Ric]

The only thing that I do believe is biodynamics or the Moons effect on plants and their growth.

I was a skeptic and gave it a go, the difference in my vege's was amazing. I'm a confirmed believer now.

As for Astrology, it's all bunkum and poppycock.

Cheers

[kinetic (Steve)]

Have you ever tried to politely tell the Astrology nut at work
that there are 13 signs of the zodiac and what about all the
poor Ophiuchans who miss out?

Steve

[IanL]

Ask any Astrologer to show you the zodiac at night in the sky and probably none will be able to.

Ian

[stevoggo (Stephen)]

There have been a few great scientific studies on astrology which I have read about, but can't find online. But since i had my dob out I thought I'd have a look and write a horoscope for anyone who is having a birthday within the next year.

You are a sensitive person with a good sense of humor who is concerned about how others see you. You work hard but are still sometimes nervous about the future. Overbearing demanding people get you down - but you usually cope OK. You have a few personal bodily concerns you told no one about. You don't mind toddlers, but just can't take their TV shows. Sometimes you get sick of this area and think about better places you've visited. Lots of people are putting pressure on you. You like being outside and need time to unwind. You will get grief in a few days from some of the same idiots who bothered you last week. Some of your favorite TV shows are on Friday nights. You are probably getting into reading this stuff about yourself. There are still a few secrets you don't share with your best friends. You like salty food and sometimes see weird spots when you blink your eyes. You sometimes feel like you just dropped 20 feet when you sleep, and then get really strange dreams. In spite of how you may sometimes feel, things will start getting better for you.

Hope this helps guide you. I nicked it from another website BTW!!
Cheers Steve

[badchap]

Originally Posted by stevoggo

There have been a few great scientific studies on astrology which I have read about, but can't find online. But since i had my dob out I thought I'd have a look and write a horoscope for anyone who is having a birthday within the next year.

You are a sensitive person with a good sense of humor who is concerned about how others see you. You work hard but are still sometimes nervous about the future. Overbearing demanding people get you down - but you usually cope OK. You have a few personal bodily concerns you told no one about. You don't mind toddlers, but just can't take their TV shows. Sometimes you get sick of this area and think about better places you've visited. Lots of people are putting pressure on you. You like being outside and need time to unwind. You will get grief in a few days from some of the same idiots who bothered you last week. Some of your favorite TV shows are on Friday nights. You are probably getting into reading this stuff about yourself. There are still a few secrets you don't share with your best friends. You like salty food and sometimes see weird spots when you blink your eyes. You sometimes feel like you just dropped 20 feet when you sleep, and then get really strange dreams. In spite of how you may sometimes feel, things will start getting better for you.

Hope this helps guide you. I nicked it from another website BTW!!
Cheers Steve

OMG ! That is amazing - it's SO me !

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Robh

Some history ...
Until the 14th Century, astrology and astronomy were often indistinguishable. Astrologers believed that celestial bodies directly influenced human behaviour. Astronomical observations were often made so that astrologers could attempt to predict the course of human events. Astronomy diverged from astrology during the Renaissance and, after the 18th Century, astronomy became a purely scientific study.

My story ...
A few weeks ago, I had dinner with some friends. A friend (who will remain nameless) asked me how my astrology was going.
I laughed and said it was astronomy not astrology! I said I do real science; astrology has no basis in reality. I added, it is ridiculous to think all Virgos have the same traits or that a daily horoscope will apply to everyone belonging to a certain star sign.

I was told that I should keep an open mind!!!

Anyone else had to defend this position?
I'm a non-believer but I thought I'd sample the IIS clan just for curiosity.
Astrology, daily horoscopes, traits determined by star sign.
Fact or fiction?

Seriously, but maybe not, Rob.

You must recoginise the facts.

Fact one...most ladies seem to think astrology has more going for it than astronomy... a generalisation but when you present an "open mind" it will seem most ladies go for astrology..

Fact two.. ladies are right.

Fact three.. when asked how your astrology is going say... "very nice thank you would you like a personal star reading.... you can sleep over ...what wine do you like..."

alex

[xelasnave]

I have spent the last year on and off with a lady who is really into astrology...the annoying thing is she says things like..."oh she will be a whatever and she will do this etc...and she is right.... I dont know why and I am not going to get involved ...but for them they see their "results" so that supports their beliefs and from then on it is hard to win...and who needs to win...let folk think what they want if it keeps them happy...
alex

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by ngcles;439893
Keep an open mind? -- If you keep your mind [I

that[/I] far open, your brains will fall out.

I've corrected people, mainly women, about my hobby. They loose interest real quick when they find out that I don't follow Astrology.

[PeterM]

As usual Evan you make a good point, when you are on a winner stick with it. I used to teach astronomy part time for the local TAFE Adult Enrichment Course and for several years the numbers were good. In fact about 12 ladies to 1 or 2 gents. When they eventually introduced astrology as an adult enrichment course (I was dumfounded, astrology at a local TAFE, a seat of learning) the numbers for the astronomy class dropped to a non viable level for the TAFE. Yet not once was anything asked about astrology during those five years. The TAFE no longer runs astrology or astronomy courses.
PeterM.

[Jazza11 (Jeremy)]

Lol everytime i finish observing my mum always says hows ur astrology every time i have to explain the difference and one time someone said "gee u love ur atomosphere dont u" lol people these days

[Quark (Trevor)]

Just noted that Wikipedia predicts that in May 2009 the World population will reach 6.7 billion. Astrologers would have people believe that for each of these 6.7 billion people there are only 12 different daily outcomes. So on any given day about half a billion people are having the same type of day.

There are 88 constellations and 13 Zodiacal constellations. A constellation is said to be Zodiacal if the Sun passes through it.
Astrologers attribute peoples birth signs based on the constellation that the Sun is in at the birth of that person.

The Sun is in the following constellations during the year.

Dec 19 to Jan 19 Sagittarius
Jan 19 to Feb 18 Capricorn
Feb 18 to March 13 Aquarius
March 13 to April 20 Pisces
April 20 to May 13 Aries
May 13 to June 21 Taurus
June 21 to July 20 Gemini
July 20 to Aug 11 Cancer
Aug 11 to Sept 18 Leo
Sept 18 to Nov 1 Virgo
Nov 1 to Nov 22 Libra
Nov 22 to Dec 1 Scorpius
Dec 1 to Dec 19 Orphiuchus

Note that due to the different shape and size of these Zodiacal constellations that the Sun spends vastly different periods in them and that there are 13.

Another consideration is that apparently these objects in the sky that effect our daily lives have absolutely no affect on the unborn, maybe the mother has some sort of inbuilt cosmic shielding that protects her unborn child from these forces.

While on the subject of these forces exerted by the planets, apparently the numerous Brown Dwarfs and molecular clouds that we pass as the Sun with everything that is gravitationally bound to it, hurtles through space at 220 km/sec on its orbit around the Galactic Centre, also have no affect on us. However such object are quite capable of setting objects from the Oort cloud on new paths, either out of the Solar System or in towards the Sun as comets.

It really is amazing how the general public associate astronomy and astrology as the same thing. I suppose its up to us to set the record straight at every opportunity.

Cheers
Trevor

[multiweb (Marc)]

A bit of spirituality is good for the soul. You'll live longer.

[Davekyn (David)]

Couldn't agree more Marc. Pure science only accounts for 10% of the big picture & has pretty much taken the fun out of living. If people could keep an open mind, they may be better at utilzing what little they really know and only then really begin to embrace a little more of thier full potential.