Main question: Does astronomy really affect our lives? 

 

 what is astronomy?

Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe beyond the earth’s Atmosphere. This includes other planets, the sun, stars, and the moon, basically anything you can see with the naked eye. Other things are things we need to see with a telescope or other tools that help us with what is in space.  

This picture is an example of astronomy, this photo was taken by NASA and can be found on NASA’s website

 In the Heart of the Virgo Cluster and was taken by Saulius Adomaitis 

what is astrology?

Astrology is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future by using celestial bodies. People who believe in astrology believe that the influence of the planets and stars can predict the future for people, nations and groups. Things that are included in this star signs also known as zodiac signs that are in 4 diverse groups. There are fire signs – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Earth signs – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Air signs – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, and Water Signs – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. 

what is the difference between astrology and astronomy?

The difference between astrology and astronomy is that astronomy is the study of everything beyond earth’s atmosphere and astrology is the attempt to study if the way stars are positioned, the way they move, and properties can determine how people act and events that happen on earth. Up until the late 1600s astrology was part of mainstream science until Isaac newton started to show some of the physical processes on how celestial bodies affect each other. He demonstrated that the same laws revolving around also apply to the celestial sphere.  

is astrology true?

From the research I’ve done it’s an uncertain question. In some ways yes it can be true and align with the way your personality has developed but also no. Using astrology to determine everything about you without including pass experiences and traumas it will be less accurate. Astrology cannot predict the future or predict the things that will happen in your life but can somewhat predict what your personality is like. 

does the moon affect someone’s health?

The moon has been an object that humans have been worshiping for ages. People have referred to the moon watching over us in books and there is a greek god named Selena which translate into moon.

“The moon had been observing the earth close-up longer than anyone. It must have witnessed all of the phenomena occurring — and all of the acts carried out — on this earth,” – Haruki Murakami 1Q84 

Humans have been studying the moon for thousands of years and have been referring to it as a guide to their lives and their health.   The moon has some influence with life and natural mechanisms on earth. The moon controls the tide and when the moon is full it controls how corals release eggs and gametes reproduce more. Some studies do suggest that the moon could have something to do with the quality of somebodies sleep and the amount of time. Professor Cajochen and his team had conducted an experiment in 2013. In this experiment they had 17 healthy 20–31-year-Olds and 16 healthy 57–74-year-Olds to sleep in a dark and windowless room for 3 and a half days. The researchers had been watching the changes in sleep structure, brain activity, melatonin and cortisol levels. They had noticed that before and after a full moon, they had taken around 5 minutes longer on average. They had also noted that their melatonin levels had dropped closer to the full moon. The professor of this experiment Cajochen had said to BBC “The lunar cycle seems to influence human sleep, even when one does not ‘see’ the moon and is not aware of the actual moon phase”. From the research in this experiment, it seems the moon may influence people’s sleep. In society we have had myths and theories about the moon for example how full moons make people go crazy or how on a full moon humans transform into a werewolf. A study from 1984 showed that crime rate increases on full moon nights, or a study published in 2009 showed that more people had been admitted to psychiatric facilities during the full moon. But in 2019 some researchers had conducted an experiment which proved these studies had been wrong. They had taken 17966 people that were treated in 15 different psychiatric wards over 10 years. They saw no signs of aggression on full moons. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion astronomy can affect our lives in some ways and some ways it is just a myth. Astrology isn’t reliable to predict people’s futures or personalities. Some celestial bodies can affect some people, for example the moon even if it isn’t in sight can affect a person sleep. Astronomy is something that has been researched and study for a long time and in ways yes it can affect people but also no, if you’re born while the stars are in a certain placement your entire personality will not be predicted. 

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 WORKS CITED

Astrology vs astronomy: What’s the difference? Sky & Telescope. (2020, October 12). Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-resources/whats-difference-astrology-vs-astronomy/

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Astrology. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/astrology

Kelly, A. (2019, June 19). If you’re asking if astrology is ‘real,’ you’re missing the point. SELF. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.self.com/story/asking-if-astrology-is-real-missing-the-point

MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Do Moon phases have any effect on human health? Medical News Today. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326012

What is astronomy?: AMNH. American Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/astronomy/what-is-astronomy