How do we all learn about space and how have we become so intrigued by various astronomical phenomena? To many, reading through the weeds of theoretical physics and PhD level mathematics is just not appealing. However, the media has had a proactive role in capturing the public’s attention and gaining support for many space endeavors. There are several ways that the public has learned about space: movies, TV shows, news networks, and even music.
Movies have really been the driving factor, at least for me, behind the mass intrigue toward astronomy and space. Films such as Apollo 13 and Interstellar captured mass audiences through their dramatic plots; however, they actually did have scientifically accurate information. For example, the film Interstellar was a top film when it first came out in 2014. The film’s plot is centered around a former pilot who works on a farm. As the global food supply is decreasing and unsustainable, NASA approaches him to find a new exoplanet capable of keeping the human race alive. Cooper, the former pilot, and his team embark on an interstellar voyage where they explore new planets and eventually find a suitable place for the human race to survive on. The movie portrays intense scenes with wormholes, black holes, and planets. Click here for more information about the movie. A common stereotype with many scientific movies is that the actual physics is flawed, and many of the events could not actually occur in real life. However, in this film, the producers actually brought in renowned physicists and astronomers to make sure that each event was scientifically accurate. For both the scientific community and the mass public, this film was huge for raising awareness for space exploration. People loved the plot and were suddenly more interested in learning more about space exploration.
Another example of the mass media being proactive in raising awareness for space exploration have been news sources. Huge news outlets have been very helpful in covering various breakthroughs in space exploration. For example, during Cassini’s missions around Saturn’s rings, new outlets featured satellite imagery and real time updates on its mission. The Cassini missions were designed to learn more about Saturn’s rings. The imagery revealed from these projects were integral to our understanding of the formation of Saturn’s rings. Another example of media coverage was the Mars missions. The historic landing of the rover on the planet Mars captured the nation’s attention and drove many people to become interested in space. Without the coverage of these news outlets, we would not have been able to understand these important events.
Therefore, the use of media to cover astronomical events is crucial to our understanding of space. One of the biggest drawbacks of our current space programs is their distance from the public. We are largely disconnected from scientific organizations and are unable to learn about historic discoveries without digging deep into dense reports. The media allows us to learn, and grow a passion for astronomy, easily and conveniently.
Image link:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816692/