The Difference between
Astronomy and Astrology

Over the past few years, we have seen a solid rise in the interest given to astrology. From videos discussing the various signs and what they are like, to Youtubers making full-time careers by providing their insightful thoughts on the events that their audience may be going through due to the alignment of the planets, astrology is clearly gaining traction everywhere. But what’s the difference between astrology and astronomy? Is it similar at all? Let’s discuss it!

What Is Astrology?

Astrology is the belief that the way the planets, the sun, and the moon are aligned affects greatly the events that we live on Earth. For example, astrology refers to concepts such as star signs, and it tells you whether you are a certain kind of personality or another based on this. Whether or not astrology is real is something you can choose yourself, but in most cases, the science is clear on this topic: astrology is not backed up by empirical evidence.

Nonetheless, the same way religion is accepted as being a possible truth, astrology should also be respected if individuals choose to believe in its ‘teachings’, or concepts.

Astrology is usually based on different concepts. For example, you have birth signs, which are based on the month of the year one is born in. Then, there are also rising and ascending signs which, according to astrology, can tell one more about their personality and the kind of person they may become.

Astrology will tell you whether you are one of the following twelve signs, each of which have distinct personality traits: aries, taurus, gemini, cancer, leo, virgo, libra, scorpio, sagittarius, capricorn, aquarius, and pisces. It is important to mention that there is no research that proves any of these theories.

What Is Astronomy?

Astronomy is the science of anything and everything that is “outside of the Earth’s atmosphere”, according to the American Astronomical Society (AAS). For example, that includes the study of stars, asteroids, planets, galaxies, as well as how these are all interconnected between one another. This is also the study of aliens, whereby astronomers are interested in finding out more about life outside of Earth.

Astronomers study the universe, the objects within our solar system (and outside of it, such as distant galaxies, or black holes), and how all of it works.

Astronomy is an incredibly interesting field to be involved in! If you were ever interested in learning more and studying the planets we are living among, as well as the potential risks we could be facing as a planet, it would be the right field for you.

Astronomy allows you to question everything about the origin of humans, including how we came to survive for so many years and what could bring the end of life (such as an asteroid crashing on the planet).

Ultimately, astronomers rarely believe in astrology because of the lack of research behind the practice. However, it’s up to you to choose what you believe!