whats more helpful to cruisers? meteorology or astrology

[TheWhiteRabbit]

This question is geared toward the cruisers. I’m currently in collage… and for some reason the degree I am pursuing requires me to take a science class, and none of the science classes offered directly relate to the field I’m training for. But I did notice a couple classes that might apply to cruising on a sailboat. As I aspire to own/cruise a sailboat, I figure I’ll take a class that relates to sailboats. So the options are meteorology, or astrology. So, all you cruisers, if you could take just one of these classes; which would choose? Which would be the most helpful to a cruiser?

Thanks all

[catamariner]

Hi Rabbit,

I'm a professional astronomer. I'd go with meteorology :-) And BTW, "astrology" is trying to tell your future by what sign the sun was in when you were born, etc. Astronomy may be the college course you are considering. You will use the meteorology all the time, to understand the weather info you are getting and your own observations, while, assuming you can afford a GPS or two (they are pretty cheap!), you will only use the astronomy for either fun on a night watch or emergency navigation -- i.e., it's not as likely to be useful on a day-to-day basis. Good luck.

[US27inKS]

Originally Posted by catamariner

Hi Rabbit,

I'm a professional astronomer. I'd go with meteorology :-) And BTW, "astrology" is trying to tell your future by what sign the sun was in when you were born, etc. .

What?!? You don't check your horoscope before going sailing?

[radioguy]

*Many* years ago I took an astronomy class in college. Had a brilliant professor. I saw him out in public after the class, and introduced myself and told him I took his *ASTROLOGY* class. He didn't correct me, but I was mortified.

[sawingknots]

the main concern of mine is keeping me inside the boat and the water out,everything else is just minor considerations

[Allanbc]

Today, my horrorscope reads, "Your favorite activity will be a lightning rod for bad luck. Your blue skies will turn stormy. Don't go overboard because you will likely be eaten by sharks when you least expect it. You friends will all seem clueless. Don't take their advice because it could leave you high and dry. On the bright side, today is a good day to go sailing and enjoy time alone."

Ain't no way I'm going to my boat today!

[PCP]

Originally Posted by US27inKS

What?!? You don't check your horoscope before going sailing?

Between Astronomy and Meteorology, the last one, no doubt.

But between Meteorology and Astrology, well, the last one can be very usefull, after all the Roman Emperors didn't do anything without hearing the astrologer and that's probably the way they manage an Empire that lasted a long time and anyway the Meteorologists seem to miss as much as the astrologers. So, that's a tuff choice

[TheWhiteRabbit]

Astronomy!!!!!!!Astronomy!!!!!!!!
sorry!!! I guess i was typing to fast or something!!!!!!!! (so much for my higher education huh??)
what would be more helpful Astronomy or Meteorology???

k, thanks for setting me straight.....

[Boasun]

Both... Meteorology for the weather and Astronomy for celestrial Navigation for when your GPS goes belly up and the batteries for the hand held GPS are flat lined.

Yes I own a sextant and Yes I do use it.

Astrology? Well it is fun for parlour games, but a Ouija Board is more acturate.

[CalebD]

The word "meteorology" is from Greek μετέωρος, metéōros, "high in the sky"; and -λογία, -logia.
It is not the study of meteors so why not weatherology? After all the study of climate is called 'climatology'.

The word "astrology" comes from the Latin term astrologia ("astronomy"),[13] which in turn derives from the Greek noun αστρολογία: ἄστρον, astron ("constellation" or "star") and -λογία, -logia ("the study of").
It is easy to understand why these two words are often confused even though only one is a science and the other is more like an art form or fairy tale.

I'd go for 'weatherology'.