It’s in the Stars: Astronomy vs. Astrology

Did you know that Astronomy and Astrology were the same field of study until about the 1700s? These days, most people know the difference; however, confusing the two has spawned meme after meme.

So when we look at those people who love Astronomy (the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere) versus those who love Astrology (the study how celestial bodies have an influence on human affairs) what do we find? These two groups of people have very, very little in common!

Compared to the general population, their top 3 actions, or where they are more likely to spend their free time or money, vary wildly.

Astronomy

• Honing a skill (149 index)

• Playing an instrument (139 index)

• Playing a sport (e.g., soccer, tennis, surfing, etc) (124 index)

Astrology

• Playing games (e.g., video games, board/card games) (140 index)

• Listening to audio (e.g., music or podcasts) (132 index)

• Gambling  (131 index)

It gets even more interesting when we compare their top 10 Most Passionate Genres based on index scores (the genres that they love when compared to the general population).

It turns out that RYA can confirm what the memes have always told us – Astronomers and Astrologists are worlds apart. 

For more insights on people who like space and people who like horoscopes, or for any other audience, make sure to reach out to learn more.