Description

The practice of astrology is older than astronomy—the scientific study of the cosmic objects. But astrology cannot be classified as a scientific discipline because it is basically a product of human ignorance and fear Today we know what the stars and planets are and what makes them move. There is no known mechanism by which their position in the sky can influence or control human fate. Most people go to astrologers out of fear, in the hope of assuaging life’s great anxieties. This book is primarily aimed at presenting in a logical manner the elements of astrology as practised and to show why the assumptions and methodology used by astrologers for making forecasts on the basis of birth charts or horoscopes are incompatible with the method of science.

Winner of the 1994 NCSTC National Award for the ‘best science and technology coverage in the mass media’, and the AWIC Honour 2007 for his contribution to children’s literature, Shri Biman Basu (b. 1945) has been involved in science popularisation through print and electronic media for more than four decades. He was Editor of the popular science monthly, Science Reporter for over three decades. Shri Basu has authored more than 30 popular science books, of which four, The Story of Man (1997), Joy of Starwatching (1999), Marching Ahead with Science (2001), and Cosmic Vistas (2002) have been published by the NBT, India.