Stamps from Japan with the theme Astronomy

At one time in the past Astronomy and Astrology were considered to be the same thing, but around the 18th Century thinking changed and they began to be recognized as separate subjects. Astronomy, the study of objects and happenings outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, was thought of more as a science, while Astrology – the use of the positions of objects such as planets/stars beyond the Earth to predict future events and also to produce psychological profiles for people born during certain months of the year, was thought not to have enough qualifying evidence to be considered a scientific subject.

But the study of the stars and other planetary objects is moving ahead and improved technology, and with it the use of satellites to explore space means man continues to make more discoveries about objects far beyond our solar system.