If you are convinced that your star sign perfectly defines who you are, NASA has a surprise for you and you're probably not going to like it. Chances are that NASA's new Zodiac chart has listed you on another constellation. So, if you were expecting to meet a new love interest this week you may be disappointed.
NASA has confirmed a long-time belief of astronomers that Earth’s alignment with the constellations has changed since ancient Babylonian astrologers first divided the zodiac about 3,000 years ago.
“The Babylonians lived over 3,000 years ago. They divided the zodiac into 12 equal parts--like cutting a pizza into 12 equal slices. They picked 12 constellations in the zodiac, one for each of the 12 "slices." So, as Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun would appear to pass through each of the 12 parts of the zodiac. Since the Babylonians already had a 12-month calendar (based on the phases of the Moon), each month got a slice of the zodiac all to itself,” wrote NASA on Space Place.
Apart from that, they even left out constellation Ophiuchus. It is believed that they did this as there are 12 months and 13 constellations in the zodiac.
“But even according to the Babylonians' own ancient stories, there were 13 constellations in the zodiac. (Other cultures and traditions have recognized as many as 24 constellations in the zodiac.) So the Babylonians picked one, Ophiuchus, to leave out. Even then, some of the chosen 12 didn't fit neatly into their assigned slice of the pie and slopped over into the next one,” added NASA.
This means that around 86% of people have identified themselves with the star sign.
According to astronomers, to the new horoscope, there is a list of thirteen Zodiac signs:
- Capricorn: 20 Jan - 16 Feb
- Aquarius: 16 Feb - 11 March
- Pisces: 11 March - 18 April
- Aries: 18 April - 13 May
- Taurus: 13 May - 21 June
- Gemini: 21 June - 20 July
- Cancer: 20 July - 10 Aug
- Leo: 10 Aug - 16 Sept
- Virgo: 16 Sept - 30 Oct
- Libra: 30 Oct - 23 Nov
- Scorpio: 23 - 29 Nov
- Ophiuchus: 29 Nov - 17 Dec
- Sagittarius: 17 Dec - 20 Jan
Although, this may have no effect on astrology as NASA’s focus is on astronomy. Let's be crystal clear
Astronomy definition: The branch of science which deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.
Astrology definition: The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world.
In a conversation with Gizmodo, a NASA spokesperson said, “We didn’t change any Zodiac signs, we just did the math, the Space Place article was about how astrology is not astronomy, how it was a relic of ancient history, and pointed out the science and math that did come from observations of the night sky.”
