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If you are new to the world of stars and planets, you may be a little confused with some of the terminology used when discussing celestial objects and the night sky. This blog post is here to help you understand the difference between possibly the two most confusing terms in this field.
The difference by definiton
Simply put, the difference between Astronomy and Astrology is one is science and the other is superstition. Astronomy by definition is the branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space and the physical universe as a whole, where as Astrology is the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial objects interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world.
The split
Astrology was once considered a science, it was widely practiced by ancient cultures and was of incalculable importance to philosophy and the development of human reasoning. Astrology was considered a science until the 1600s, when Sir Isaac Newton discovered the science and physical processes by which celestial objects affect each other. Sir Isaac Newton showed that the same law that makes an apple fall from a tree also applies to the motions of the physical sphere. This is when Astronomy and Astrology split into 2 separate fields of science and superstition!
Is the study of Astrology true?
Today, Astronomy is known as a true science, where as Astrology is a superstition. Many people still believe in the study of astrology and the impact that the celestial movements have on human personality traits and human affairs. You will find your horoscopes in almost every newspaper and magazine and many people still visit fortune tellers and get their tarot cards read. While Astronomy may no longer be considered fact or science, it was widely studied in ancient times and the stories are still cherished by many like family heirlooms.
Cosmology
Now that we know the difference between Astronomy and Astrology, it’s time to throw Cosmology into the mix. By definition, Cosmology is the science of the origin and development of the universe. Modern cosmology is dominated by the Big Bang theory, which brings together observational astronomy and particle physics. The human understating of the origin of the universe has evolved massively since the beginning of time, from religious beliefs to the theory of the Big Bang.
Now that you know the difference between these terms, why not check out our other blog posts related to Astronomy, Astrology and Cosmology?