Astrophysicist Debunks Horoscopes with Basic Astronomy (+ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!)

What's the difference between astronomy and astrology? Astronomy is a science. Astrology is not. Astronomy uses the movements of the planets and stars to experimentally determine the physics of the Universe. Astrology uses those same planetary movements to claim that they somehow affect the lives of humans down on Earth. Spoiler alert: THEY DON'T!
Figure out what your actual star sign is due to the precession of the Earth’s axis: www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zp4fvcw
My new book entitled 'Space: The 10 Things You Should Know' is coming out September 5th! 🎉 You can pre-order it from amazon here: bit.ly/SpaceDrBecky
Camera focusing issues again. That'll teach me to play with the auto-face focus rather than leaving it on manual focus which I know works. I'll make sure it's right for next week's video.
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My sister made the frame in the background as a present when I passed my PhD. She does commissions: megansmethurstdesign.wordpres...
I also present videos on Sixty Symbols: / sixtysymbols
and Deep Sky Videos: / deepskyvideos
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Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist researching galaxies and supermassive black holes at Christ Church at the University of Oxford.
Twitter: / drbecky_
drbecky.uk.com

[@jdpjamesp]

- So, doc, what's the prognosis? - It's not looking good, I'm afraid. Mercury is in Uranus. - Ahh doc, I don't believe in all that astrology rubbish. - No neither do I. My thermometer just broke.

[@TigruArdavi]

this comment is way underrated🤣

[@blendibisha33]

💀💀😂😂😂

[@Carolina-rd3gh]

Brilliant 😂😂 This sense of humour is everything. Where can I find more jokes like this?

[@gepbalta]

​@Oni You're not alone. :D I've read it like 4 times before I got it. Then I said the longest "fffffuuuuuuuuuucckkk" I've ever said.

[@CarpeNoctem42]

Made my day!

[@enda320]

"What star sign are you?" -"Flamingo" "But that's just made up!" -"They are all just made up"

[@uegvdczuVF]

lol I'm using that....

[@dessertstorm7476]

I'm a solero

[@mechadrake]

I am a dragon, born on the fourteenth month of the year! made that up too

[@steveb0503]

Like that one!

[@JediBuddhist]

@@uegvdczuVF Hahaaha I called it first.!

[@weepat5325]

According to my Mom, I was born under the sign of Hospital.

[@martynjohnstone6022]

I was conceived in the back of a Ford Capri

[@thePronto]

@@martynjohnstone6022 not a lot of room in the back of a Ford Capri. I guess they were 'chick magnets', back in the day.

[@SimbianMinistry]

Well... considering that the only physical influence a star or planet can have on you is it's gravity... and that fact that the building you're born in exerts WAY WAY more gravitational force on you than all the stars in your 'birthsign' combined... Your mom is correct.

[@jasoneaton4520]

Wee Pat look at all the planets, not just sun sign.

[@saysamnang9851]

@@jasoneaton4520 idiot

[@Kenosos]

I have a friend who is an Astronomer, it's always fun to wind him up by calling him an Astrologist.

[@incrediction1080]

Menace😂

[@stopwaitingfam]

he should be extremely offended lmao

[@JoeBrandAG]

Well, it's the original term. Just like calling a doctor "alchemist" or a psychologist "shaman"... If he gets winded up, its probably because he doesnt know the history of the field he's supposed to be an expert on.

[@phyokyawkhaing2251]

@@JoeBrandAG The history doesn't matter that much tho. What matters is the present connotation attached with the word. An example would be the word boomer, it just means the person was a baby boomer who was born after the war but in modern times it's almost synonymous with an insult. Words evolve, that's how language works.

[@mglenadel]

Pluto. Funny that Pluto didn't affect people's horoscopes until a century ago… I wonder why.

[@SineEyed]

Great job demonstrating that astrology restructures itself when presented with new evidence - just like science does. Gotta love the irony here.. 😘

[@gbsailing9436]

Pluto was taken OFF the planet list... Actually the reverse was true, but I like to think of how it changed and how they make changes accordingly...LOL

[@andtou1342]

Marcelo Glenadel Not to mention that there’s another zodiac sign between Scorpio and Sagittarius called Ophiuchus. Why do people forget about it and only identify with Scorpio or Sagittarius traits?

[@GGora]

We live in a hologram universe...clearly, you don't even understand what astrology is all about & how it works. I have never ever seen so many ignorant arrogant people in one place. It's all about AS ABOVE, SO BELOW....ItAstrology works brilliantly and can be explained using quantum physics ( exactly as in astrophysics), and works through entanglement within the matrix and synchronisation of all life on earth to the solar system (planets or otherwise).

[@gbsailing9436]

@@GGora The pot calling the kettle black...

[@juzoli]

They made an experiment, about sending out the very same “predictions” to everyone. Over 70% reported that it matched, and over 70% of their partners also reported it matched. So it is all about making vague generic claims which fits almost everyone.

[@EebstertheGreat]

They're sometimes called "Barnum statements," after P. T. Barnum's alleged claim that his and Bailey's circus had "something for everyone." Often horoscopes, psychic readings and the like will include statements that appear to contradict each other (in Forer's experiment on the subject, he gives the example, "At times you are extroverted, affable, sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, reserved. "), or they will include statements that are true for almost all people but often not publicly expressed or visible in other people (like "Disciplined and self-controlled outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure inside. ").

[@edinfific2576]

@@EebstertheGreat Basically, astrology is a "snake oil" business.

[@UniDocs_Mahapushpa_Cyavana]

@@EebstertheGreat Who doesn't like animals performing though, even if they don't admit it? Dog actors are great when fully trained, it's just communicating the instructions to them that's the pain.

[@EebstertheGreat]

@@UniDocs_Mahapushpa_Cyavana I watched a Lassie movie on MST3K the other night. She definitely upstaged the human actors.

[@JYHRO0]

@@edinfific2576 personal predictions are certainly not the truth of astrology. But think of this coincidence: multiple planets alignements are rare. There were four in the XXth century. at the time of WW1 ; WW2 ; Cuban missile crisis ; then 9/11 Amazing no? Still not a statistical proof but there are some statistically demonstrated facts. I made such a study myself.

[@luisgeniole369]

When you start a sentece with "According to cosmopolitan..." you know you're in for a laugh.

[@57thorns]

The cocktail is no joke I heard. I might have tried it at some time, but cranberry and citrus does seem like a good combination.

[@johnny_eth]

I realized quite quickly in my teens that horoscopes were horsedung. They are a compelling read if you are frustrated and want change in your life, because the texts are written exactly to confirm your biases and wishes. The texts are sufficiently generic that they apply to everyone, and with some tid-bits of detail that leave everyone surprised how accurate they are, because the reader forgets the other 3 or 4 details elsewhere in the text that didn't apply. That is called selective reading, subjective validation and confirmation bias. James Randi did an experiment where he gave the same horoscope to a room of like 100 random people. Everyone was surprised how well it matched. Then he asked them to switch papers. Many laughed when they saw that they all got the same paper and realized it was all fake. Others became defensive, offended or even aggressive because James had bursted their bubble.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

Burst, not bursted.

[@PuzzleQodec]

This reminds me of Hermione ranting about her Divination classes. Even in fiction astrology is fiction.

[@ragnkja]

Based on how they wrote their homework assignments, Divination might as well be called "Creative Writing".

[@aryanayush136]

That's why they stopped teaching this bullshit at my school

[@sjcwoor]

Umbridge was a bitch, but she had a point about letting that teacher go.

[@GGora]

except: Useful scientists here, predicting events of 2020 years ago based on SCIENCE OF ASTROLOGY: listen at 3:09 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3e4YoydmN-ff80 & also this one, at 7:09 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIewqqGmnb52q8U I have a collection of these....LONG LIST indeed.

[@Sbhh1999]

Giti Oracle these are potent. Wow. Thanks for posting. Spooky accurate given the dates!!!

[@nicholasn.2883]

My sister won’t shut up about astrology, so this is a birthday gift from you to me. That’s how birthday presents work right?

[@ragnkja]

Nicholas Nelson It is according to Pippi Longstocking.

[@krosskinetic]

Ofc this is exactly how they work...

[@anonihme5142]

knocking someone off the astrology horse is a gift to humanity as a whole :-)

[@JoeBrandAG]

@@anonihme5142 but this arrogant dude wasnt riding that horse, so, you lose :) (typical idiot that doesn't even know what he's talking about, but behaves like he knows everything in the world lol)

[@edmund3504]

my date: what do you do? me: i'm an astrophysicist my date: omg i'm a gemini!!!!!

[@harrylevinson6419]

*leaves immediately*

[@Neptunianist]

Hmm. Is that an answer to the question of what one does or what one is?

[@Roozyj]

@@Neptunianist They do be a gemini

[@derlis_whatever7033]

you should run from geminis

[@icannotcomeupwithanything4609]

😂 I am into Science and I often do Astrology for fun. It is not like I believe in it. Oh your Gemini? I am a Aries.

[@Smonserratm]

My favourite counterargument to astrology is they never noticed Uranus and Neptune were there untill they were discovered by actual scientists.

[@btonasse]

This is actually not a very good counterargument at all. They can just reply that astrology works the same way as actual science, where we knowledge of the field changes according to the best information you have at a given time. The best counterargument to astrology is a resounding laughter :D

[@jaimepaullamb]

I don't understand how that is an argument against astrology. You are not refuting any claims made by astrology. You're simply pointing out a development in the field of astronomy.

[@thepsion5]

@@jaimepaullamb Well, if astrology claims the position of the stars and planets can be used to predict people's behavior, why didn't they start incorporating the presence of Neptune and Uranus in their predictions until after they were discovered through actual science? Not a single Astrologer noticed their effects or postulated there was an unseen body influencing the other signs?

[@jaimepaullamb1187]

@@thepsion5 Think about your question - you answered it already. How would one incorporate unknown data in any prediction or calculation? It's important that astrology took new data (i.e., the discovery of trans-saturnian planets) into account going forward. That's how a flexible epistemology works.

[@thepsion5]

@@jaimepaullamb1187 But the data would have always been there, yet no astrologist ever mentioned it or wrote about these hidden factors affecting predictions. They had no problem coming up with predictions and quantifying their presence AFTER they were discovered, but not a single word about it beforehand?

[@grsmith06]

1. Happy Birthday 2. As Sir Patrick once said Astrology proves there's one born every minute.

[@dennisbashore7626]

Graham Smith Absolutely spot on, My Friend!............Brilliant!👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@jasoneaton4520]

Graham M7GRS really ? Have you drawn your full chart? And those of people you know? Cause l GUESS several signs in people. It’s easy to see.

[@billystokes3917]

@@jasoneaton4520 I've had people guess what I am too. They've never guessed right. Not once.

[@JimWarp93]

Happy birthday to you and congrats to your book Dr !

[@Sbhh1999]

She’ll have major thyroid issues all her life and that’s the best outcome for anyone who’s born conjunct with fixed star Algol .... that’s all birth on earth may 16-may 18- all astrologers avoid these two days re birth or anything- always have- it’s all over pyramids too and every single culture in existence regardless of any knowledge of one another considered this ominous. Beheading ( losing head) be it through actual beheading, freak accidents, severe alcoholism or drug poisoning and thyroid cancers and also various freak murders or becoming a murderer ( all will involve chocking of some sort) are among outcomes of this. I don’t even believe in talismans ( I believe in astrology as I’ve been researching it for years post my PhD) but frankly, she shouldn’t be getting out her door without every mojo she can find.

[@billystokes3917]

@@Sbhh1999 You've been researching astrology for years post PhD? What a waste of a life.

[@googleboo9876]

@@billystokes3917 Youre pathetic. AND your OPINION SUCKS.

[@khoatran9804]

My favourite source for horoscopes is The Onion (an American satire site/paper). Here's the current one for Taurus: Taurus | April 20 to May 20 You will be transfixed by the realization that human lives are as unique as snowflakes, and just as indistinguishable from one another when viewed from the proper distance.

[@jasoneaton4520]

Khoa Tran Taurus are the typical skeptic actually, they secretly hate everything and everyone. And think they’re better than everyone. Ta-daaaaa....

[@GGora]

Onion here and many like this in my discussion: Low IQ woman here predicting CVIL war by Nov in USA using astrology...published early 2020...listen at 16:05 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ6pnqWcasqkZrs many more of such examples are in my discussion.

[@Sbhh1999]

Khoa Tran more onion sources from stupid low IQ people who practice astrology ( clearly and they are so useless too) Watch at 16 min for prediction of civil war in USA months ago, thanks to astrology kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ6pnqWcasqkZrs

[@57thorns]

Best description of what being a snow flake really means. Unique, but indistinguishable.

[@reinatr4848]

@@Sbhh1999 the onion is a satire news site.

[@lunaeclipse6417]

First paragraph of the description I was literally clapping, love your work and wish all the best for your future endeavours and thank you for making this video so that whenever my friends bring up astrology I have this video to show them🌌❤️

[@NoMoreForeignWars]

What is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

[@gordonlawrence4749]

The weird thing is that there is some evidence that what time of year you are born does affect you. IE people born in summer are more likely to be successful. However what really buggers up the astrologers is that in the southern hemisphere the characteristics are 180 degrees out of phase with the northern. www.rd.com/health/conditions/summer-babies/

[@juzoli]

Gordon Lawrence What is your age when you experience your first winter might be important. Did you just stand up the first time, or will you run around and build a snowman. Just an example how it might work...

[@the_algorithm]

@@gordonlawrence4749 That has a lot to do with the School year cycles and also it is a MAJOR factor in sports due to age restrictions in youth sports.

[@gordonlawrence4749]

@@the_algorithm No because people born in summer IE June/July are more successful but they are at a disadvantage at school. They are also as adults more successful in sports.

[@gordonlawrence4749]

@@juzoli actually the research is that it's more to do with sunlight immediately after birth, as it affects serotonin levels and all sorts.

[@MephLeo]

"Oh, but have you ever had your astral map done?" "Yes, and it makes up for a pretty bad toilet paper, if you ask me." "What?" "What?"

[@carver3419]

Q: What's the difference between astronomy and astrology? A; About 50 IQ points ...

[@singingtallit583]

carver3419 nailed it!

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

_Only_ 50 IQ points?

[@singingtallit583]

Lucius Chiaraviglio The IQ scale is pretty steep curve. Anyone below 80 will not be taken by the US army because they cannot be used for any job the army has. I’d assume 130 to 150 for an average Astro physicist and 90 to 110 for the average astrologer. Caring about the stars at all is a sign of asperbergers syndrome so on either end you’re probably dealing with quasi-autistic people with very strong opinions. If you say “ Tauruses are stubborn “ or “dark matter is real” you’re going to meet people who can prove both though neither have any evidence beyond an assumption that they must be correct because of what they see as being necessary to make the universe fit into the box they have steadily been building for generations. Standing on the shoulders of giants doesn’t always mean you’re seeing clearly no matter what field you’re in.

[@carver3419]

@@singingtallit583 "The IQ scale is pretty steep curve ..." Do you want some dressing with that word salad?

[@singingtallit583]

carver3419 sorry let me be clear. The I distribution is on a bell curve. That’s “the steep curve”. Very few people are on the very high and very low ends. Most people are in the middle somewhere. So to say 50 points of difference is a large portion of the entire curve that the majority of humanity is on. The word salad is mostly trying to explain that people are self delusional, both great scientific minds and astrologers. Both are capable of believing in nonsense that cannot be proven, because they believe that somehow someway someone will definitively prove what they believe in. This is the dark matter and dark energy thing (no observable stuff only observable effects). So Tauruses are stubborn because of the stars (not provable but you can observe the effects).

[@coreybuckley485]

Dr.Becky you once again continue to impress me with your amount of knowledge.Plz keep the content coming

[@onehitpick9758]

I never get tired of hearing how silly astrology is.

[@jasoneaton4520]

onehit pick really ? Have you drawn your full chart? And those of people you know? Cause l GUESS several signs in people. It’s easy to see.

[@Sbhh1999]

onehit pick so silly. Exactly at 16 min ... prediction of civil war in USA months ago, thanks to astrology kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ6pnqWcasqkZrs

[@Sbhh1999]

Read this. Maybe you should realise how SILLY you are. Read this refute of that scammy Nature paper by UC Berkley D grade scientist that they keep pasting as their proof against astrology www.scientificexploration.org/docs/23/jse_23_2_ertel.pdf

[@kingko6053]

@@GGora If you look at history or whats been going on in america anyone can predict that stupid ass bitch

[@explosivebrickstudios2693]

@@jasoneaton4520 fuck astrology

[@astrophonix]

My star sign is Pyrex... I was a test-tube baby!

[@adityachoudhary6147]

That’s not how it works... 😂

[@Rebius]

it doesn't matter where you've been born, but where was the position of the stars and the sun relative on your geolocation ;)

[@kateri17]

@@Rebius that doesn't matter either.

[@lordforareason9440]

@@Rebius What a load of Bullshit

[@sauronishere8040]

@@adityachoudhary6147" it" doesn't work in any way.

[@SirKnasher]

I remember being excited to read my horoscope in the newspaper when I was a child, like 9 or 10. It's just sad that so many people never grew up like the rest of us, yet when you laugh it off as pure nonsense you're "close minded"

[@andrewcramer9200]

"Tonight: stay in." Thanks horoscope, I'm 10 years old and can't drive anyway.

[@JoeBrandAG]

Judging an entire field of knowledge that developed the strangest of maths ever, without even glancing at it's core meaning/purpose, judging it by your own personal experience as a 10yr old that didnt know nothing about the matter... "but how dare people call me closed minded? Of course I'm right, my 10yr old self is my source!" pathetic...

[@SirKnasher]

@@JoeBrandAG You're not very bright are you?

[@ivanalvarado3646]

It’s still pretty fun to read horoscopes if I ever come across them. Not in a serious manner, just good-natured fun that I’ll forget about in five minutes since it means nothing. The fact that people genuinely receive economic and relationship from this is insane. Instead of choosing who they are they follow some asinine belief system.

[@reed-young]

I remember being excited to read stories in the Bible when I was a child, like 9 or 10. It's just sad that so many people never grew up like the rest of us, and when you laugh it off as pure nonsense they say you're "closed minded."

[@mcnultyssobercompanion6372]

I love high quality debunking- it's an underappreciated art, of which this video's a fine example. :) Happy belated birthday, doctor. I really enjoyed this vid.

[@Sbhh1999]

She’s shit. Giti Oracle, a phd engineer destroys these people. That’s high level debunking. And she’s a billion times hotter. Read this refute of that scammy Nature paper by UC Berkley D grade scientist that they keep pasting as their proof against astrology www.scientificexploration.org/docs/23/jse_23_2_ertel.pdf

[@mcnultyssobercompanion6372]

@@Sbhh1999 Gotta say, I'm sure when it comes to building a bridge, your *engineer* Phd is the authority. No argument. When it comes to why stars are where they are in deep space, and why it's absurd to suggest they could ever affect the emotions or fortunes of human beings here on Earth, I have no problem deferring to the authority of an *astronomy* Phd. That said, personally, I have no problem with anyone believing in astrology. I personally think it's absurd, but that's just me. I relate to astrology as a faith, not a science, and I believe people have the freedom to believe in whichever faith they choose. "Believe" what you want. Myself, I'm a practicing Catholic. I have beliefs other people think are absurd. Which is fine. But my religious beliefs are rooted in faith, not science, and I would never appeal to science to validate them. There is no scientific way to validate astrology anymore than there's a scientific way to validate faith in God. I just keep my faith and science separate. And I've read enough about stellar evolution and stellar orbital parameters to understand how entirely *unlikely* it is that they could ever produce the effects alleged within the mythology of "astrology". But if that's where you choose to put your faith, by all means...

[@Sbhh1999]

McNulty's Sober Companion pls listen to giti oracle. Thanks for your respectful comment and i do agree with some of your points. However, astrology is not a matter of belief. We are being lied to and we are not given a fair chance. Watch that channel, she explains it all and talks science most of the time and how these are connected and why astronomers are the last people you should trust about such stuff. They are only looking at the surface.

[@Xiph1980]

Congratulations! Happy birthday!! 😀 Also! Yes! I effin' hated it that when I said I was studying astrophysics, 8 out of 10 people asked which astrological sign I was..... Eff off!! 🙄

[@paulgiaccone6115]

Tell them "Oh, I don't have an astrological sign." That'll confuse them.

[@thePronto]

So did you get a job in astrology?

[@GGora]

When D grade astrophysicists forget to do their homework , I do it for them. You are very welcome " "Abstract-Shawn Carlson’s 1985 study, published in Nature, which ended with a devastating verdict of astrology, is scrutinized. 1- The design of Carlson’s study violated the demands of fairness and its mode of analysis ignored common norms of statistics. 2- The study’s piecemeal analysis of sub-samples avoided testing the totals for astrological effects, as did the neglect of test power, effect size, and sample size. 3- Nevertheless, a correct reanalysis of Carlson’s two astrological tests reveals that astrologers matched profiles of the California Personality Inventory to natal charts better than expected by chance with marginal significance (threeway forced choice, p = .054), and that a positive result was replicable by a different assessment method (10-point rating, p = .04). 4- The results are regarded as insufficient to deem astrology as empirically verified, but they are sufficient to regard Carlson’s negative verdict on astrology as untenable"

[@greglott4977]

At least you didn’t tell them you were a Cosmologist only to have them ask you to do their hair.

[@greglott4977]

@@GGora wait, what are you going on about?

[@daniellemeyer5159]

I thought Carl Sagan debunked astrology very well 40 years ago. Unfortunately no one that needs to hear this was or is listening. I do find a special place in my heart for astrology as the vocation of astrology paid many astrologers turned astronomers to make great observations.(for example, Brahe/Kepler). Looking forward to your book. Happy Birthday!

[@GGora]

Did he now? Wish he could watch these: Useful scientists here, predicting events of 2020 years ago based on SCIENCE OF ASTROLOGY: listen at 3:09 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3e4YoydmN-ff80 & also this one, at 7:09 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIewqqGmnb52q8U I have a collection of these....LONG LIST indeed.

[@GGora]

more debunking ....Low IQ woman here predicting CVIL war by Nov in USA using astrology...published early 2020...listen at 16:05 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ6pnqWcasqkZrs many more of such examples are in my discussion.

[@Sbhh1999]

Danielle Meyer more for a moron like you. Watch at 16 min for prediction of civil war in USA months ago, thanks to astrology kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ6pnqWcasqkZrs

[@Sbhh1999]

No one ever has actually. Unlike what INCELs love to parrot. Read this refute of that scammy Nature paper by UC Berkley D grade scientist that they keep pasting as their proof against astrology www.scientificexploration.org/docs/23/jse_23_2_ertel.pdf

[@Neptunianist]

I've seen the presentation from Carl Sagan where he allegedly "debunks" Astrology. His argument is based on one key assertion: that the sign rising on the horizon at Sunrise of your birthday is different now than when the dates we currently use, for a sign, were defined. That's an Astronomical frame of reference, not a Zodiacal one. See here for why Carl's talkng about something that Astrologers do not use: www.astro.com/astrology/in_praezession_e.htm. Since that's his only counter-argument I wonder, then, if Astrologers were to use the Astronomical frame of reference that he would have no objection and would believe it? Of course, Astrologers are not going to change something that works, into something that wouldn't, just to gain his approval though.

[@CosmicCybernetics]

Claudius Ptolemy's book the Tetrabiblos written almost 2,000 years ago is a foundational book in astrology that still forms a basis for much of modern astrology. Precession of the equinoxes was discovered before Ptolemy lived and Ptolemy, one of the great intellectuals of his time, understands precession of the equinoxes and he specifically states that he uses a zodiac based on 12 equal divisions from the vernal equinox. Ptolemy did not conflate constellations and zodiac signs but astronomers taking a quick peek into astrology today do. It takes more than a cursory look through popular astrology to appreciate many of the issues in astrology. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that astrology is not regulated so anyone can be an astrologer simply by declaring that they are astrologers. Thus, one has to dig below the massive amount of pop astrology to find the real work that is being done. I am an astrologer and I have a MA degree in research methods and evaluation from the University of Florida. Not all of us are naive and lacking in critical thinking skills. I think an open public debate between someone like myself and an astronomer would be helpful. I have proposed this to many astronomers but none have taken me up on this. Please let me know if you are interested.

[@garrettduffy515]

I'm interested in being open minded. I'm not opposed to woo woo ideas. But astrology is one place I just can't find the patience for. Correlation isn't causation per birthday and rising constellation. Seasons made a difference in an ancient person without modern food supply chains, heating and cooling. But they only correlate within stars. The stars do not cause seasons. Anthropocentric Greeks with anthropomorphic gods and a geocentric conception of the solar system thought the stars were made for them. I suppose some things never change. I'm sorry. What am I'm missing? Is astrology a space for people to have more meaningful conversations?

[@CosmicCybernetics]

@@garrettduffy515 what matters most is the analysis of data which indicates that astrological variables have measurable effects. We may not like that Relativity Theory indicates that as something approaches the speed of light it dilates time or at the quantum level there is quantum entanglement, but these theories predict observable behavior. Whether we like astrology or not does not affect whether careful observations indicate that the variables work. Yesterday I uploaded the first in a series of videos on the evidence that supports astrology, and next week I will upload additional videos in this series. Here is the first video in the series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXe8eJiihJV9j80

[@thomaslloyd8306]

Happy birthday and congratulations on your new book! I really enjoy your show. I look forward to reading your book. Thanks Dr Becky! :)

[@Walter-wo5sz]

Happy birthday. If you wrote a book telling peoples futures bases on quantum mechanics I bet it would be a hit. You can't fix stupid.

[@tarmaque]

I volunteer to write the quantum horrorscopes.

[@frogz]

can we have famous scientists as our quantom signs? i call tesla for august!

[@Walter-wo5sz]

I want Schrodinger so my horoscopes is equally valid and not valid as long as I don't read it.

[@tarmaque]

@@Walter-wo5sz That is awesome. I want Heisenberg, so I can know _what_ my horoscope is or _when_ it's going to happen but not both. That's September, by the way.

[@janvandergaag]

@@frogz LOL! Then I'd have Feynman for February, please. (Some asterisms look like those Feynman diagrams anyway.)

[@charlesphilips2045]

Congratulations on producing your book. And I wish you a very happy birthday. Thanks for keeping us informed with every video you put out.

[@blech71]

So glad you brought up procession. That’s the biggest non-starter when it comes to their system that most can relate with when challenging.

[@dmontes133]

Congratulations on your book! I can’t wait to get it!

[@silentflyer5498]

"Nobody pick on Pluto! Pluto has been through enough!" :D my new favourite Dr. Becky quote

[@pixelmasochist]

Happy Birthday! Well done on the release! And thank you sincerely for this one, especially as... well... shouldn't you be planning a party or organizing a get-together or something?

[@Richard_Ashton]

"A touchstone to determine the actual worth of an "intellectual" - find out how he feels about astrology." - Robert A Heinlein in 'Time Enough For Love'.

[@Sbhh1999]

Another fool. Read this refute of that scammy Nature paper by UC Berkley D grade scientist that they keep pasting as their proof against astrology www.scientificexploration.org/docs/23/jse_23_2_ertel.pdf

[@ashleybrister5033]

Im about to spend all day on your channel. New fave, cheers to having a day off and finding a great binge worthy channel.

[@Archaeopteryx128]

Many years ago as a self-defense against astrology loonies I made up the idea that, at least for Americans, it was what presidential administration you were born under that counts. I'm an Eisenhower Era baby myself. I stopped because people started taking me seriously.

[@ptonpc]

You could have ended up with a cult.

[@Archaeopteryx128]

@@ptonpc Agreed, and that causes a fearful chill to run down my spine.

[@litpath3633]

@@Archaeopteryx128 Being the leader of a cult is pretty nice though. Being a follower sucks. lol

[@dnfi5480]

@@litpath3633 So true....so true...

[@philsaspiezone]

There are a lot of these astrology believing savages in Quora.

[@scottwatrous]

Tinder remains unlucky no matter what stars were communicating 6 millenia ago.

[@MephLeo]

I can't complain about it myself, being as of now in a one year relationship started in it, but the fact that most Tinder profiles' first info is the person's astrological sign certainly doesn't help its case.

[@Ken-hs5yu]

You may have done this on a bit of a lark but a lot of the stuff you have talked about clears up so terms I always wondered about but never got around to looking up. Happy belated Birthday and you Rock

[@Chemy.]

There should be laws to protect the general population of this kind of trickery

[@RockHoward]

I discovered that the sun was in the constellation Opphiucus on the day that I was born. (Sadly this bit of research was one of the few things I ever did with my astronomy degree.)

[@dessertstorm7476]

yeh this point that everyone's star signs are off because of procession is one of the strongest indications that it's horseshit. As if you needed more reasons.

[@RWBHere]

@@dessertstorm7476 Precession is a real Earth-mover.

[@astroseer]

@@dessertstorm7476 Yes. You are truly right, but you are talking about the Sidereal zodiac and not the Tropical Zodiac which shows what signs of the zodiac your various planets are in. This zodiac is not subject to precession of the equinox as found in Sidereal Astrology

[@Neptunianist]

Not really. The precession repeats over and over again every (roughly) 24,000 years. So why would it need to change at all when every 24,000 years the Sun will rise at 0 degrees Aries on 21st March? The reference point isn't what you see right now, it's the origin. Ask yourself this: why does the precession happen and does it repeat?

[@DarrenRockwell]

@@Neptunianist It doesnt "snap" and reset every certain amount of years, its a linear progression.

[@tncorgi92]

And here all this time I was living up to predictions for Scorpio, when I'm really a Libra. Why didn't my psychic tell me?

[@Richard_Ashton]

I thought I was a Virgo but I've just lost my V-Card.

[@astroseer]

@Smee Self See?? Everyone thinks they are just one sign. How about five or six signs? Then you could really find out about yourself. Try it

[@Connection-Lost]

@@astroseer I was told all my life my family members that I was stubborn because I was Aries. But everyone in my family was stubborn as shit. No other Aries.

[@astroseer]

Please understand that you are not just your sun sign. There are many planets usually in different signs which reveal the other signs and attitudes you have. Also you may be referring to the constellations no longer in the same place, but the regular zodiac is the Tropical Zodiac.

[@georgebyron468]

@@astroseer Or more commonly referred to as the B-ollox Zodiac.

[@isaiahd781]

I just discovered this channel. This video is amazing! Science for the win. Keep up the good work, and congrats on the book. Peace from Wisconsin, USA.

[@UnseenMenace]

Congrats on the book and thank you for throwing some shade at Astrolobollox :P

[@zapfanzapfan]

A Taurus calling Bull on astrology... love it! :-) Happy birthday! Hope that Tinder-thing works out ;-)

[@jasoneaton4520]

zapfanzapfan Taurus are the typical skeptic actually, they secretly hate everything and everyone. And think they’re better than everyone. Ta-daaaaa....

[@zapfanzapfan]

I'm not a Taurus so you might want to expand that to a few more star signs...

[@jasoneaton4520]

zapfanzapfan we were both talking about the op. Where’d you go?

[@zapfanzapfan]

op?

[@05bastille]

@@jasoneaton4520 weird that sounds more like me and im no Taurus

[@robertobandaaguilar4878]

I simply love your channel! Probably, one of the best astronomy channels in youtube!

[@Sbhh1999]

Roberto Banda Aguilar best propaganda channel? Yes.

[@scottshaw9288]

I love this video. I love all the work you put into these videos. Thank you for all you do Dr. Becky!

[@Beacher1085]

Grazie mille for your videos Prof. (from Venice, Italy)

[@bigwillydier]

Happy birthday! Thank you for this video! I love it when credentialed, smart people debunk things that no one has any business believing in. Your editing commentary is top-notch too!

[@Neobatz]

But... the real question here is: do you or do you not have a Big Willy? 😂

[@johnnysteel442]

Happy Birthday Dr. Becky!!! I always knew that Chinese cookies were more accurate. lol

[@andrewsullivan4465]

JJ Steel: Plus you get to eat the cookie!

[@exafrost]

I opened one and read it... it said "Made you look!"

[@robpayne1956]

Here I am in the future from this video. Happy belated birthday Dr Becky, love your videos please keep them up. You are so sweet and "human" and that is what makes me watch your videos. You are at least as good a presenter as my all time favorite presenter named Carl Sagan. Thank you Dr Becky for being so Human.

[@victorvila1056]

People who believe in this because they think the reality is boring just haven't gotten into physics enough to realize how amazing and crazy our universe truly is.

[@Shadow81989]

What is millions of lightyears away from logical? - ASTRO-logical! Happy birthday to my favourite astrophysicist! :-) Looking forward to your book!

[@SlyPearTree]

1- The actual star sign link does not work anymore. 2- I got an advert for an astrologer after the video, youtube loves to pair skeptic videos with their antithesis, I often get religious advertising when viewing atheist videos. 3- My favourite astrology debunking method is when a group of peoples is given a sheet that is supposed to be their personal astrology, when asked if the sheet describe them usually a majority says yes, then it is revealed that everyone got an identical sheet.

[@grayintheuk8021]

Really great video - thanks and pleased to have found your channel. Thanks

[@Rob_Morrison_GB]

I love this video!! The classic life long argument of Astrology vs Astronomy! You have my vote Dr Becky!!

[@Sbhh1999]

This the classic BULL SHIT unscientific argument against astrology. She’s just selling propaganda to her incel fans. For scientific, you should really dig further. Here’s an example Read this refute of that scammy Nature paper by UC Berkley D grade scientist that they keep pasting as their proof against astrology www.scientificexploration.org/docs/23/jse_23_2_ertel.pdf

[@DarrenRockwell]

Life long argument? What?

[@brucebrucestofiston5554]

That was a funny look at astrology.Nice that you got serious at the end, quackery seems to be making a comeback and the people( magazines,websites) should be held accountable. Happy Bday and congrats on the book

[@kj_me]

if the full moon keeps blazing light through my window and keeps me awake at night cause i cant be bothered to put up the blinds, it does affect my mood lol

[@OhAncientOne]

7:40 Best description of retrograde motion ever ! You always have the best animation thanks 👍

[@athenahitchin7738]

This is a great video and adds even more (and more recent) information toward when I remember learning about this and how inaccurate horoscopes are.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

How can one human being be so intelligent, entertaining and beautiful all at once?

[@larisanedeljkovic7769]

She's taurus duh

[@TheSatyamsingham]

try telling this to your family who believes in all this, it's a pain in Uranus.

[@zackovalltrades760]

Hahaha, best pun ever! XD

[@whengaming9999]

You have earned my like 🗿

[@carmen_13]

💀😭

[@MartyWoodcock]

Happy belated birthday! I'm new to your Chanel. You earned yourself a sub, and I rang your bell, too. I was born 20/12/71. My sign is probably out of sync, like many others. Not that it matters whatsoever though. I'm loving your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@papaowl13803]

One tends to forget just how we here on earth see the night sky. What we see today was different 1000's of years ago. And will be in our near future. Thanks for the reminder Dr Becky.

[@cowboyfrankspersonalvideos8869]

Years ago, James Randi did an experiment with a high school (I think) class, where he had "customized horoscopes" for each student, written based on data supplied by each student. All but a very few students said their horoscope was exactly right. Randi then reveled all the horoscopes he handed out were exactly the same.

[@JoeBrandAG]

Really? You got the paper to backup that claim? How many students were involved? Who were the "astrologers" that made such "customized horoscopes"? Is there a copy of said "horoscope"? No, you got nothing but a tendency to make shit up; which places you in the same position of any snakes oil salesman...

[@cowboyfrankspersonalvideos8869]

@@JoeBrandAG Before you criticize someone on something you think is wrong, you should ask for references. This one is easy, just search KZbin for it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXXTY42noJ2pftk I don't comment on KZbin unless I know what I am saying is correct and have references, or I have personally experienced it.

[@CaptainMarget]

"What sign are you?" "Personally I like the stop sign because it's a cool shape but the give way is cool too...."

[@astroseer]

See? There are many signs occupied by the planets. No one is just a sun sign. This is the vast misunderstanding of what a real astrology chart is. When this is explored, I would enjoy a discussion.

[@Dan_Popescu]

Thank you Dr.Becky! That's exactly my opinion about astrology as well.

[@maytronix7201]

Happy Birthday Doc

[@chrischristopoulos6316]

Thank you Dr. Becky. This needs to be seen by a lot of people out there.

[@Jake-rv8td]

Astrology is even a joke in Harry Potter... In a world where magic exists.

[@rodin2840]

That’s because Astrology is both science and magic. Magical in how it works and scientific in its results.

[@TheTruthPlease100]

Wow! Love that new insight on astrology. Always wondered about that but hadn't looked into that yet. Good to know. So did the astrologers end up taking that time difference into effect at all or were they oblivious to procession of the movement around the galaxy?

[@wojciechkedzierski5093]

No, they are still using the "old" version. :D

There's also tramology, which is based on the fact that trams gravitational influence is comparable to stars and planets for the residents of urban area being served. For example if tram 6 is near the harbour when you were born you will travel more.

[@terryendicott2939]

Wow - what do you have against charlatans making a dishonest buck?

[@mongomoonbladder8023]

Damn ! I've been a Gemini all this time and never knew... Or cared. Happy birthday Dr Becky, and good luck with the book. 😀

[@astroseer]

No. No. Please understand that just because your Sun is in Gemini doesn't mean that there are not a lot of other planets in you're chart that are in different signs. Check this out an you will be totally shocked.

[@ericksonlm]

Thank you for this, Doc!

[@roughfootage6501]

Just ordered your book. If it's like your channel, I'm sure I'll enjoy reading it. I'll post a review later. PS, Happy birthday.😃

[@wellingtonsmith4998]

"Planets don't have personalities." Dr Becky 2019 you made me laugh, thank you. 😎

[@CitiesTurnedToDust]

I'm trying to figure out what segment of the population is crazy enough to believe in Horoscopes who also would be rational enough to be convinced that it's fake based on any sort of scientific explanation, no matter how well done.

[@nea0496]

Happy birthday Dr brcky

[@bharani1008]

Please have a look at Vedic and Sidereal astrology. I would love for you to debunk them as well!

[@VighneshNair28]

This is how you debunk pseudo science ! loved this

[@GGora]

Really? You have a very low bar. Clearly.

[@VighneshNair28]

Yes indeed .. hope I reach your level some day. Cheers !

[@GGora]

Vighnesh Nair highly doubt you have the right coding for that. Damaged jupiter, Saturnnian 9th house etc. I’m sure you are the usual case.

[@VighneshNair28]

@@GGora 😂

[@payday510]

So Astrology is the world's longest running game of Calvin Ball?

[@Sbhh1999]

No. It’s the biggest scape goat Read this refute of that scammy Nature paper by UC Berkley D grade scientist that they keep pasting as their proof against astrology www.scientificexploration.org/docs/23/jse_23_2_ertel.pdf

[@sarimansari1]

@@Sbhh1999 This is not to say that studies with astrology-favorable results would have an a priori chance to survive my scrutiny any better (Ertel, 1996, 1997, 1998; Ertel & Dean, 1996). Reports about negative results are numerous (Gauquelin, 1955, 1988; Kelly, 1997; Müller & Ertel, 1992; McGrew & McFall, 1990). Confi rmations of classical astrological predictions are rare exceptions (Timm & Köberl, 1986; Smit, 1997; Ertel, 2004). Moreover, they do not verify astrological beliefs.14 Correct astrological diagnoses, if they occur, might be due, e.g., to paranormal intuitions of psi-gifted astrologers (Ertel, 2004). Parapsychological phenomena are likely to eventually become reconcilable with the growing body of scientifi c knowledge (Radin, 2006); astrology is far from having the same chance

[@sarimansari1]

@@Sbhh1999 seems like you didnt read it either

[@Sbhh1999]

Sarim Ansari I did. You moron. Nature, NASA and the rest are still quoting thTs scammy paper as proof against astrology. You have none. You never had one. Real scientists like giti oracle and Her MIT collaborators will destroy you all once and for all. You’ll see. That’s how real scientists do things. What u did is precisely how a JERK does this. Changing the topic and cherry picking? How shocking. Wow. I certainly expected some ethics and honestly. What a joke. For decades you have been quoting garbage dishonest flawed papers like this which you’re still citing and loser D grade scientists like Dr Becky or Bill Nye use to spread your dishonest propaganda by brainwashing gullible youth into proving astrology is proven to be bogus. Never has been. Ever. It’s a very different matter to not have been “ adequately established” than to “ dismisses as garbage”. Can’t you see the Fuvking difference your dishonest coward jerk? Go get a job as a spinner. You’re born to do it. Get a job at Nature.

[@Sbhh1999]

Sarim Ansari yet you destroyed lives of Kary Mullis, Percey Seymour, Michel Guegelin and any reasonable scientist who has ever dared saying guys, hey, you know nothing. There’s something to these ancient sciences. Let’s do proper research. Let’s not dismiss. Let’s not do the stupid shit others did back in Copernicus time.

[@chiefgully9353]

love your videos, on the real if I bought a copy of your book is there any way I could get you to sign it for my daughter? I believe you are a great role model for any young lady interested in science and the physics of the world.

[@DJ_Psy]

Belated Happy birthday to you!x

[@wrnchhead76]

“You know what else is bull?” 😂😂

[@VulcanOnWheels]

Ah, at 1:56.

[@beskamir5977]

Oh fun I'm cancer, awesome! I always wanted to be a deadly disease that's got no cure. (Am I using horoscopes properly?)

[@spencersmustache2844]

I'm nearly a year late but thanks for promoting your book. I bought it on audible.

[@gamerjunction5335]

Back when I was dating, whenever a prospect asked me what my sign is, I replied Stop Sign.

[@wkrijthe]

I once was insulted by horoscopes. One told me I would have a very productive day at work, the other told me I would experience something I never had before... 🤔

[@GoldSrc_]

Ah yes, astrology, the word that loves to stain our beautiful astronomy with its nonsense. Happy birthday and good luck on your book. I once used to buy in the bs of astrology when I was in high school, but once I started to watch documentaries about space and the planets, I knew that rocks and balls of gas have no effect on our daily lives.

[@jamiewallis2797]

Talking of birthdays, you got your doctorate on mine (Jan 27th) :) Love your channel, Becky. Keep it up :)

[@miaomiaochan]

This roast of astrology gave me so much pleasure. Well done!

[@imaginationmansion96]

I just see astrology as giving me things to ponder that I may not have thought about or had forgotten about (such as talking to old friends, enforcing boundaries, or trying something new - generic but still sometimes makes me think "oh, I could/should do that") rather than actually dictating anything about myself. And even though I know it's not scientific, I do still like reading about it (mostly because I like learning about anything - scientific, historical, spiritual, I'll read it all).

[@cdc962]

Heretic!!! You dare to question astrology. I did not expect you to talk that scientifically about the topic. Thank you for this amusing and informative video - even your cam went on strike.

[@Sbhh1999]

No she’s just another D grade dishonest, unscientific, clueless shitty Dr. going on a rant against a 4000 year old science she doesn’t have the brain to comprehend. Read this refute of that scammy Nature paper by UC Berkley D grade scientist that they keep pasting as their proof against astrology www.scientificexploration.org/docs/23/jse_23_2_ertel.pdf

[@markanthonycoliinson873]

Wonderful stuff Dr Becky. Whenever I think of astrology I always think of a story the journalist Christopher Hitchens once told about an astrologer who was fired from the paper he worked for with a sacking letter that began: 'As you will no doubt have foreseen...'

[@Sbhh1999]

So sorry for ignorant people like you. Hichens nor you clearly know what astrology really is all about. Horoscopes?

[@BillAngelos]

I found a woman on an online dating app about a year ago who was obsessed with what my sign was. With 1 sentence about what I thought about this fake "science" I managed to get unmatched. Bullet dodged.

[@auto_ego]

Fall off backwards? British merry-go-rounds sound savage af

[@KingKing-cz6xh]

I showed this to my girlfriend and she said “this was such a Gemini thing for you to do” I broke up with her on the spot

[@normalperson397]

Good choice king.

[@metalplane3]

Happy Birthday, Becky!!!!!!!

[@seart21bv]

For decades I try to explain this to people, as I see your video I’m lucky I’m not the only one ....