Are There Any Astronomers That Actually Follow Astrology?

Question

...or can say that it's possible for people to be ruled by the nature of the planets?

If you are an astronomer, do you consider the effect of these planets on people? Do you think there is some validity to Astrology?

Answer 1

No, I can't honestly believe that the position of the planets has any effect on human beings. The only possible effect they could have would be to slightly influence the net gravitational field at any given time, but the effect would be too small to be measurable with any known instruments. Astrology is an attempt by people to place some structure on the apparent "randomness" of life, and thus to feel that they've gained control over such randomness.

Answer 2

When I was in high school, a friend who knew I was interested in astronomy once got me an encyclopedia--- of astrology. By mistake, I assume. It sat disdained on my shelf for years until one summer (when I must have been REALLY bored) I read it. I even drew up my birth chart and everything.

It was a good experience, because now at least I know what the astrologer frauds are talking about when they talk about their nonsense. And it is complete, superstitious nonsense.

Normally, I make one statement about astrology in my astronomy classes, because some students don't know that there is a difference between the science of astronomy and the BS of astrology. When discussing ancienct astronomy, I will say something like, "All of nature and the universe was a mystery to them. They had very little idea how anything worked. They noticed very quickly, however, that the cycles of the Sun could be used to predict when they should plant, hunt, and sow and the cycles of the Moon seemed to predict the human menstrual cycle. Since the two brightest objects in the sky were clear indicators of the two most important facts of life (food and sex), it wasn't such a great leap of the imagination that the lesser planets controlled other aspects of life. But that's all it is--- imagination. It has no basis in reality whatsoever.

If I have students who are speaking up insistently that there is something to astrology, I have an activity where I present the birth chart of Ted Bundy and nine other birth charts, as well as "official" interpretations of various BS from my high school astrology encyclopedia. Their task: find the serial killer. If astrology works at all, finding the serial killer should be easy. But it never works.

Answer 3

Astrology is the old mythological art of observing the planets and stars and trying to determine their influence on man. Astronomy grew out of astrology but differed in the use of the scientific method. As far as any astronomers that study astrology, no I don't know of a single one, and I know a bunch. As far as the influence of the planets on you when you are born, the clock on the wall of the delivery room has a greater gravitational pull on you than the planet Jupiter. As massive as it is, Jupiter is so far away from you that you would have a hard time measuring its effect. Modern Astrology is a bogus, money making scheme, used by hucksters to steal your money.

Answer 4

Astronomers have to separate what they know that is fact, and what they think they know, but is not proved yet (astrology). Mixing the two things would create many paradoxes that astronomers don't want. There are a few astronomers that believe in astrology, to a small extent. Astrologers might even go as far as to think they are astronomers. While this is basically true, you cannot assume something works, you have to have proof. Proof as in actual experiments. People won't just take your word for it, that it is true, especially nowadays. So Astronomers don't like to mess around with stuff they can't prove.

Answer 5

I've been an astronomer for fifty years, and have many friends who are astronomers, professional and amateur. I don't know a single one who puts any credence whatsoever in anything astrology says. It's nothing but superstitious belief. There's absolutely no physical mechanism by which the planets could affect human lives.

Answer 6

Astronomy is a science.
Astrology is someone's idea created to take the hard earned money away from gullable people who are willing to give money to people who will tell them that their future will be better if they part their hair on the other side of their head.

Astronomers do not believe there is anything credible to Astrology. I do admit that horoscopes can be entertaining occasionally but there is no credibility to what they say.

Answer 7

Astrology is a state of mind, and has nothing to do with how people act.
I don't know of any astronomers in this area that gives astrology a thought.

When some one tells you about astrology, just tell them that, you Cow is dead and you don't need their Bull any more.

Answer 8

I'm a P&Ser, not an Astronomer/logist. People may slightly be affected by the moon's gravity, as well as animals being affected by the light of the (full) moon...plus the Sun keeps us alive & spinning...But other than that, I don't believe that the "stars" affect our daily lives (as astrology suggests)

Answer 9

No one can say there aren't any, but I've never met one or heard of one.

There are 6.5 billion people on this planet. If we assume that birth rates are even throughout the year--not true, but close enough for our discussion--then about half a billion people alive today were born under each sign.

What are the odds that 500,000,000 people share the same horoscope?

Answer 10

There was one ( I think it was Fred Hoyle ) who believed that flu germs may arrive periodically from passing comets. I think that was about the nearest any serious Astronomer came to accepting Astrology.