This document discusses the history and uses of constellations and astrology. It describes how ancient cultures like the Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Japanese, Babylonians, and Sumerians studied constellations and used them for religious purposes and astrology. They believed the positions of stars and planets influenced people's lives. Today, constellations are used to track satellites, indicate directions, and locate specific stars and galaxies. The International Astronomical Union delineated boundaries for the 88 official constellations.

2. Beliefs and Practices about
Constellations and
Astrology
William D. Wisco
Jr.

3. Astronomy vs. Astrology
Astronomy is the
scientific study of
objects.
Links to other sciences
like mathematics,
physics, and chemistry.

4. Refers to the beliefs
that the positions of
the sun, moon, and
planets against the
starry background
influence people’s
personalities and
shape their lives.
Astrology

5. The geocentric theory
states that Earth was the
center of the universe
and it was made four
elements (earth, fire, air
and water) while
heavens made of a fifth
element, the aether.
Astronomy vs. Astrology

6. Unique Culture
and Belief System

7. Some of the pioneers in studying
the galactic space are the
ancient Greeks and Romans.

8. Constellations also
caught the interests of
Chinese and Japanese.
Some patterns of stars
after animals such as
Fish, Scorpio, Lion and
among others.

9. Ancient people used
constellations for
religious purposes. Best
example is
Mesopotamian astral
worship which has
spread as far as the
Central and Andean
America.

10. The Babylonians and
Sumerians thought that
God’s will in respect of
man and His possible
undertakings can be
revealed by the motion
of heavenly bodies.

11. During 5th
century BCE,
Babylonian astrologers
started to identify the
different horoscopes that
we know today and tried
to predict the fortunes of
an individual based on
the positions of stars.

12. We inherited the
names of our
constellations from the
Greeks and they
named the
constellations after
their mythological
heroes and legends.

13. Before, constellations
were used as proper
calendars when it came to
agricultural purposes.
People had no proper way
to determine when to sow
or harvest except by
looking at stars.

14. Uses of
Constellations to
People Today

15. 1. To track artificial satellites.
IAU delineated the precise
boundaries for all the 88
constellations
2.To indicate general
directionConstellations are used to
indicate the general directions in
the sky. They serve as guides at
night for sea navigators and sky
observers.

16. 3. To locate certain stars or
galaxiesConstellations also helps in assisting
astronomers and navigators to locate
certain stars and galaxies.
A german astronomer named Bayer –
devised a system of naming bright stars
based on the constellation they belong.