Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology (With Table) 

Astronomy is generally concerned with all phenomena that trace origin outside the earth’s atmosphere. It comprises celestial objects like asteroids, planets, galaxies, stars, and processes like gamma-ray bursts, supernova explosions, etc. In the world, astronomy can be recognized as one of the oldest science.   

Astrology is often linked with horoscopes and Zodiac signs that claim to predict important events in a person’s life and personality. It dates back to several years and several ancient civilizations such as Maya, Indians, and Chinese have developed complex systems for terrestrial events predicted from celestial observations. 

Comparison Table Between Astronomy and Astrology 

What is Astronomy? 

Astronomy generally uses chemistry, physics, and mathematics to explain their evolution and origin. More generally, it studies everything that originates beyond the atmosphere of the earth. In recorded history, the early civilizations made night sky’s methodical observations.  

In the past, astronomy consisted of disciplines as diverse as celestial navigation, astrometry, making of calendars, and observational astronomy. Nowadays, professional astronomy is said to be similar to astrophysics. Theoretical and observational are two of the branches in which professional astronomy is split.  

Among the few sciences, astronomy is one of which amateurs play a role as active. For the observation and discovery of transient events, it is especially true. Amateur astronomers have helped with several vital discoveries like finding new comets.  

Space telescopes have enabled measurements in electromagnetic spectrum parts that were normally blurred or blocked by the atmosphere. The subfields of astronomy are astrophysics, astrochemistry, astrobiology, physics cosmology, extragalactic astronomy, galactic astronomy, stellar astronomy, planetary science, and solar astronomy. 

What is Astrology? 

Astrology claims to discern information related to terrestrial events and human affairs by studying the relative positions and movements of celestial objects. It has been dated to the 2nd Millennium BCE. Also, it has its roots and system of calendrical which is used to predict seasonal shifts and also to interpret celestial cycles.

One of the oldest astrological systems of western astrology is still in use. It traces its roots to a century of 19th to 17th BCE. From Mesopotamia, it spread to Rome, the Arab world, ancient Greece, and eventually western and central Europe. Contemporary western astrology is associated with the horoscope’s system.  

Throughout most of astrology history, it was usual in academic circles and considered as scholarly tradition, often close relation with medicine, astronomy, alchemy, and metrology. It was present in circles of politics and also mentioned in several works of literature for instance from Geoffrey Chaucer and Dante Alighieri to Calderón de la Barca, William Shakespeare, and Lope de Vega.

The scientific method’s widescale adoption and end of the 19th century the researchers have challenged astrology on both experimental and theoretical grounds. It has shown to have no explanatory power or scientific validity and thus lost its theoretical and academic standing. 

Main Differences Between Astronomy and Astrology 

1. The study of astronomy generally encompasses scientific proofs, hypotheses, and changing discoveries. On the other hand, complex charts, scientific terminologies, and mathematics are mainly included in astrology’s study.  
2. When it comes to etymology, the word astronomy originated from Greek as astronomos, then in Latin as Astronomia, in old French as Astronomie and at last, in middle English it becomes astronomy. Conversely, the word astrology originated from Greek as Astron, then in Latin as astrologia, in old French as astrologie and at last in middle English it becomes astrology.  
3. The famous astronomers are Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Giovanni Cassini, Nicolaus Copernicus, Christiaan Huygens, and many more. On contrary, Nostradamus, Haly Abenrgel, Evangeline Adams, Pietro d’Abano, etc. are some of the popular astrologers.  
4. Astronomy is mainly a part of science and does not include any kind of prediction. That’s why worldwide there is no other option than studying or believing in astronomy. Meanwhile, to trust astrology or not is an individual choice as no one is bound to trust blindly predictions.  
5. Astronomy is based on future origin movements of the planet and the other new or existing celestial body appearing in space. On the flip side, astrology is generally based on superstition and scientific data. 

Conclusion 

It can be concluded that both astronomy and astrology concepts are directly related to the universe, and in the early ages both terms were used indistinguishably. The people associated with astronomy are an astronomer. On the contrary, an astrologer is known as someone who is associated with astrology. The founder of astronomy were the ancient Greeks, while the Babylonians are the founder of astrology.  

The study of space, the universe, and the celestial objects as a whole are considered in astronomy. On the other hand, astrology is considered as the study of celestial objects’ position and movement and their supposed influence on the human belief’s lives and events. Astronomy is generally a branch of science, whereas astrology is usually considered pseudoscience. 

References 

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=M988AAAAIAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=astronomy&ots=oqIHy-B2PS&sig=-RpLBU6YSvQY3VbGLMsrWPOQflg
2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=L0HSvH96alIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR6&dq=astrology&ots=vUGaakyBbR&sig=iJvK78fhMXE-PH_DHhkB2rR4wSo