Happy Birthday, Universe! Well, according to the Ussher-Lightfoot Calendar, the universe was created on October 23rd, 4004 BC. As there wasn’t a year 0, with the Christian calendar going from 1 BC to 1 AD (or CE) this means that the universe is exactly 6009 years old today.

It also means that the universe is a Scorpio. Which according to today’s online horoscope means that…

You will be in for a couple of rather intense days as certain planets move into your sign. Today you’ll feel the influence of the sun and the more fiery Mars, which could mean that you’ll become a little more impulsive and spontaneous. Take advantage of the planets to do something different today!Horoscope.com

Obviously, it’s fair to note that not everyone is in full agreement that this is the age of the universe: information from the Hubble telescope would seem to suggest that the Universe is over 10 billion years old, and it also conflicts with the fossil record, which also appears to stretch back considerably further than 4004 BC.

However, everyone is entitled to their beliefs, and as no-one else has come up with a birthday for the universe — and it’s a bit unfair that it’s not been given one — it would seem churlish to deny it the chance of a birthday.

So, like I say, Happy Birthday Universe! There may be some dispute as to your precise age — 6009 years, give or take another 15 billion or so — but I’m certainly prepared to let you celebrate your birthday today.