What is the "Zodiac" in astronomy vs. astrology?
Quick Answer: In astronomy, the Zodiac is a belt around the sky where the Sun, Moon, and planets move, divided into 12 constellations. In astrology, the Zodiac refers to 12 signs tied to personality traits and horoscopes, based on the Sun’s position at birth rather than actual star locations.
The astronomical Zodiac is a precise, celestial coordinate system marking the path the Sun appears to follow over a year. It’s based on real star constellations along the ecliptic, the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
Astrology, however, uses the Zodiac as a symbolic framework. Each sign stands for a 30-degree segment of the sky and is linked to character traits and fate predictions. This system doesn’t always match the current positions of the constellations due to Earth's wobble called precession.