NASA's decision to update the current zodiac signs to include Ophiuchus came as a surprise as a shock to some people. However, a large majority of the astrologists and its followers were left shocked by the news.
As soon as NASA's move to update the current Zodiac signs started to circulate on the internet, the American space agency quickly nullified all rumors, claiming that they understand that astrology is completely different from astronomy. However, NASA did recognize the existence of Ophiuchus, which can be safely considered as the 13th Zodiac sign, as per the mathematical calculations.
Despite NASA clarifying that it is not planning to make any changes, some continue to argue that the agency may change the 3,000-year-old astrological system, according to Nature World News. The astrological system followed today is believed to have been first developed by the Babylons more than 300 decades ago.
NASA's SpacePlace reports that there are already 13 constellations in the Zodiac. However, the Babylons opted for just 12 and left Ophiuchus once and for all. Since then, only 12 constellations are considered as Zodiac signs, making Ophiuchus in the middle of a controversy for more than 3,000 years.
The inclusion of Ophiuchus as the 13th Zodiac was first proposed by Stephen Schmidt in the 1970s. However, it was feared at the time that the controversial report may disappoint the public and may astrologers upset, and therefore, only 12 Zodiac signs were continued with. On the other hand, there are other cultures that recognize as many as 24 constellations.
Now the same suggestion is back again, this time from NASA. The space agency claim that they do not necessarily suggest inclusion of Ophiuchus as the 13th Zodiac sign, however, their calculations confirms that it exists and should be included.
NASA's calculations has made some people from the astrology community go berserk. Steve Judd, a British astrologer, believes that this could be just another attempt from the scientists to discredit astrology and that a number of astrologers are already upset with it.
Meanwhile, it is still not clear whether NASA's calculations are completely true or not. While some people believe that there are only 12 Zodiac signs, other claim that they are actually able to related to the 13th Zodiac, Ophiuchus.
