Science: Love isn't in the stars
Turning to their horoscopes for a guide to their fortunes is a daily fix for millions.
But those looking for love in the stars could be putting their faith in a lost cause, say scientists.
They claim there is little evidence that certain star signs attract while others are likely to prove disastrous together.
A study of millions of married couples shows that the zodiac has no impact on our personal relationships, say the researchers.
It also exerts no influence on our chances of marrying or staying married.
Despite their evidence, however, astrologists insisted that believers gain much from following the stars.
The team at the University of Manchester came to its rather unromantic verdict after carrying out an exhaustive survey of the birthdays of every married couple in England and Wales.
Using the 2001 Census, they looked at the 20 million husbands and wives to see if certain star signs were attracted to others.
Dr David Voas, from the university's School of Social Sciences, said no special compatibility was found between star signs for the ten million couples.
But those looking for love in the stars could be putting their faith in a lost cause, say scientists.
They claim there is little evidence that certain star signs attract while others are likely to prove disastrous together.
A study of millions of married couples shows that the zodiac has no impact on our personal relationships, say the researchers.
It also exerts no influence on our chances of marrying or staying married.
Despite their evidence, however, astrologists insisted that believers gain much from following the stars.
The team at the University of Manchester came to its rather unromantic verdict after carrying out an exhaustive survey of the birthdays of every married couple in England and Wales.
Using the 2001 Census, they looked at the 20 million husbands and wives to see if certain star signs were attracted to others.
Dr David Voas, from the university's School of Social Sciences, said no special compatibility was found between star signs for the ten million couples.