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Stars in your eyes
The Zodiac Signs - Astronomy and Astrology
A constellation is a groups of stars - not a single star.
By 2,000 BC, the Egyptians and Mesopotamians marked the seasons by the constellations Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. However, the marking of seasons by constellations may go back even further to 5,000 BC.
The precise origins of the twelve constellations of the zodiac are unknown. The original Babylonian zodiac consisted of eighteen signs; however the twelve sign zodiac developed later on – probably as twelve was the number of months in the Babylonian year. The present day names of the signs of the zodiac were first described by the astronomer and astrologer Ptolemy who lived in the Roman Province of Egypt between 120-180 AD.
Ptolemy’s Zodiac constellations
CAPRICORNUS, AQUARIUS, PISCES, ARIES, TAURUS, GEMINI, CANCER, LEO, VIRGO, LIBRA, SCORPIO, SAGITTARIUS
Zodiac in astronomy
In astronomy the zodiac constellations are a convenient way of marking the sun's path across the sky. The zodiac is also a way for astronomers to mark the path of the moon and planets. Apart from this role, the zodiac constellations have no extra significance to astronomers than any other constellation.
Unlike the zodiac signs in astrology, which are all the same length, the astronomical constellations vary widely in size. The boundaries of all the constellations in the sky were agreed upon in 1930. This was essentially a mapping exercise to make the work of astronomers more efficient.
Note: the boundaries of the astronomers’ constellations are not the same as the astrologers’ zodiac signs. Along with the twelve original constellations, a thirteenth constellation, Ophiuchus,was placed by astronomers within the zodiac. So, astrologers have 12 constellations of the same length but astronomers have 13 constellations of different lengths.
Table of constellations and zodiac signs
This table shows the dates the Sun enters and passes away from the zodiac signs and constellations as defined by astronomers and astrologers.
Note that there is no astrological sign corresponding to Ophiuchus - although the constellation was known by Ptolomy in about 150 AD. Ophiuchus occupies an honoured place along the zodiac: amidst the cluster of dust and clouds looking toward the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.
Ptolemy was a Greek or Egyptian mathematician, geographer, astronomer and astrologer
| Constellation | Sign | Astrological zodiac | Astronomical observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Ram | Mar 21 – Apr 19 | Apr 19 – May 14 |
| Taurus | Bull | Apr 20 – May 20 | May 14 – Jun 21 |
| Gemini | Twins | May 21 – Jun 21 | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cancer | Crab | Jun 22 – Jul 22 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Leo | Lion | Jul 23 – Aug 22 | Aug 11 – Sep 17 |
| Virgo | Virgin | Aug 23 – Sep 22 | Sep 17 – Oct 31 |
| Libra | Scales | Sep 23 – Oct 22 | Oct 31 – Nov 23 |
| Scorpio | Scorpion | Oct 23 – Nov 21 | Nov 23 – Nov 30 |
| Ophiuchus | Serpent | Holder not used in astrology | Nov 30 – Dec 18 |
| Sagittarius | Archer | Nov 22 – Dec 21 | Dec 18 – Jan 19 |
| Capricorn | Sea Goat | Dec 22 – Jan 19 | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Aquarius | Water Carrier | Jan 20 – Feb 18 | Feb 16 – Mar 12 |
| Pisces | Fish | Feb 19 – Mar 20 | Mar 12 – Apr 19 |
Thanks to our resident astronomer JG
Halley's Comet
Named after Edmond Halley. It is a comet that can be seen every 75–76 years.
240 BC - First recorded sighting of Halley's comet
467 BC Chinese observe Halley's comet
The most recent appearances have been in 1835, 1910, and 1986.
Halley will next return in 2061 or 2062.
I went in to a pet shop and said, "Can I buy a goldfish?" The owner said, "Do you want an aquarium?" I answered, "I don't care what star sign it is."