Introduction to Astronomy

Astronomy vs Astrology

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

Intro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• Much of the evidence used by science can be interpreted in many ways. (As we saw yesterday)• But evidence can also be interpreted without using scientific

principles.• So… What makes something a science?

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

Astronomy vs. Astrology

Astronomy• The study of celestial objects,

their movements and interactions

Astrology• The study of how celestial

movements affect human actions

Intro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• Take a minute and look at the articles on your table and underline or highlight what you think qualifies as scientific statements, procedures, or thinking.

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

Astrology as a ScienceIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• What is scientific about astrology?

Focus on the natural world

Attempt to explain the natural world

Use testable ideas or hypothesis

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

Astrology as a ScienceIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• What is not scientific about astrology?

Relies on evidence

Involves the scientific community

Leads to ongoing evidence

Researchers behave scientifically

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

Science vs. Pseudoscience

Science• Holds to all seven scientific

criteria

Pseudoscience• Holds to some but not all of the

scientific criteria

Intro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• Astronomy holds to all seven and is thus a science• Astrology holds to only three and is thus a pseudoscience

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

The ZodiacIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• Your zodiac sign is the one constellation that cannot be seen during the time of your birth.

• It is on the other side of the sun, so its only visible during the day, when it can’t be seen.

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

The ZodiacIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

Aries: March 21 – April 19Taurus: April 20 – May 20Gemini: May21 – June 20Cancer: June 21 – July 22Leo: July 23 – August 22Virgo: August 23 – September 22

Libra: September 23 – October 22Scorpio: October 23 – November 21Sagittarius: November 22 –

December 21Capricorn: December 22 – January 19Aquarius: January 20 – February 18Pisces: February 19 – March 20

• The 12 zodiac signs that correspond to specific dates of the year

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

The Real ZodiacIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

Aries: April 18 – May 13Taurus: May14 – June 20Gemini: June 21 – July 19Cancer: July 20 – August 9Leo: August 10 – September 15Virgo: September 16 – October 29Libra: October 30 – November 22

Scorpio: November 23 – November 28Ophiuchus: November 29 –

December 17Sagittarius: December 17 – January 20Capricorn: January 20 – Feb 16 Aquarius: Feb 16 – March 11Pisces: March 11 – April 19

• Notice any differences…

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

PrecessionIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• The dates used in the zodiac are from over 2,000 years ago

• And the earth wobbles

• As the changes position its called precession

• This causes the constellations to appear in the night sky at different dates and in differentplaces

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

PrecessionIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

What the sky looks like now

What the sky looked like in 1400

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

Other PseudosciencesIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

• Ancient Aliens• Astrology• Autodynamics• Bermuda Triangle• Electrodynamics• Flat Earth• Free Energy• Hollow Earth• Millenarianism

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015

Cover image from www.suggestkeyword.com

Corner image from www.shutterstock.com

“Astrology: Is It Scientific?." Understanding Science. University of California Museum of Paleontology. Retrieved 18 August 2015 http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/astrology_checklist

Friedman, M. [Jan. 13, 2011] Horoscope Hang-Up: Earth Rotation Changes Zodiac Signs. Time Magazine. Retrieved 18 August 2015 http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/13/horoscope-hang-up-earth-rotation-changes-zodiac-signs/

SourcesIntro to Astronomy: The oldest science

Created by Joshua Toebbe NOHS 2015