Astronomy is a science that at first sight captivates impressionable children with the glow of thousands of stars, young people with its aesthetics and impressive technology, and people who have lived for many years – with the appeal to philosophical questions and the opportunity for quiet but fascinating intellectual leisure. This hobby allows not only to learn something new, but also to feel a part of something big and eternal. However, whatever influence the scientists themselves have had with their research, our modern understanding of astronomy is largely shaped by blocks of cinematography: “Interstellar”, “Apollo 13”, “The Martian”, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Star Trek”. However, behind the spectacular pictures there is often a very different reality – the painstaking teamwork of scientists who usually remain behind the scenes.
The influence of cinematography on the perception of astronomy
It is late evening; the laboratory is immersed in the dim light of the screens. A young scientist, with only a cup of coffee and boundless enthusiasm, is working on his research. His computer suddenly emits an unusual signal, reminiscent of something else, uncharted. He stops, clenches his hands together, and inhales deeply. “Is this really it?” – A thought flashes through his mind. The first results look too good to be true. However, after careful inspection, it turns out: he has discovered a new kind of planet with unique properties. His eyes light up, for he realizes that this moment could change the course of science….
Does this plot sound familiar?
Films and TV series greatly shape our view of astronomy by creating romanticized and sometimes dramatic images of scientists. From epic journeys through molehills, to cosmic disasters on a universal scale, cinema presents astronomy as a fascinating and often heroic field. For many people, it is stories like these that become the first step toward an interest in space exploration. However, while these films stimulate the imagination, they often simplify or even distort the reality of astronomers’ work, focusing on extraordinary events rather than the routine and complex work behind productive discoveries.
Hollywood has created many impressive images of astronomers. For example (attention: spoilers), in the movie “The Martian” (2015), scientist Mark Watney appears as a classic image of a lone hero who, thanks to his knowledge and inventiveness, overcomes extraordinary challenges. Left to his own devices on Mars, he faces harsh conditions: lack of food, water, oxygen and communication with Earth. But it is his scientific training and analytical mind that allows him to survive where others might have given up. Watney uses his knowledge of botany to grow food in the unusable Martian soil, and his skills as an engineer to repair equipment and reconnect with NASA.
This movie highlights how one scientist can find a way out of an apparently hopeless situation. Despite the emphasis on lone heroism, Mark Watney’s story does not exclude the importance of teamwork. NASA and the crew of the Hermes spacecraft work together to organize his rescue. However, the main focus remains on his individual efforts, which creates a romanticized image of the scientist as a genius who, thanks to his knowledge and perseverance, overcomes any obstacle.
In the movie “Contact” (1997), we see the story of Eleanor Arroway, a talented astronomer who faces the distrust and doubts of society. Her discovery of a signal from another civilization becomes the breaking point between her passion for science and the skepticism of the world around her. Officials try to use the discovery to play political games, and colleagues criticize her methods.
Even those closest to her doubt the reality of what she has heard. But Eleanor, despite her inner doubts, continues to fight for the opportunity to prove herself. This struggle becomes not only the story of interstellar contact, but also the personal conflict of a man who believes in science as a way to unite humanity.
Of course, one cannot help but think of “Interstellar” (2014) creates an image of an astronomer and scientist as a hero who not only saves humanity, but also explores the limits of the possible. One of the heroes – Professor Brand – embodies the classic image of a scientist-genius who has devoted his entire life to science. His role is not only to develop technology, but also to inspire the younger generation. Together they represent science as a synergy of knowledge, inventiveness and humanity.
This film is not just a fantastic story about intergalactic travel, but also one of the most scientifically accurate pictures about the cosmos. It was created with the participation of the famous astrophysicist Kip Thorne, who not only advised director Christopher Nolan, but also ensured the scientific accuracy of key elements of the plot. For example, the depiction of a molehill and the event horizon of a black hole in the movie became possible thanks to complex mathematical models developed by Thorne.
His team used special software to create a visualization that matched real physical laws. The results of these calculations were so accurate that they were even published in a scientific journal. The movie also raises the issue of relativistic time – the slowing down of time on a planet near a black hole. This phenomenon is based on Einstein’s general theory of relativity, and its accurate depiction in the film helped popularize this complex concept to a wider audience. “Interstellar” doesn’t just transport the viewer into space, but also shows the beauty of science. It is a prime example of how a Hollywood movie can be entertaining while remaining scientifically sound.
There are many more examples of such pictures in the history of cinematography: “Apollo 13” (1995), “Armageddon” (1998), “Andromeda” (1971), etc. These movies are characterized by their scientific background, but you can see that the scientists are kind of superheroes, although some of them occasionally have a desire to destroy the Earth or the whole universe… But that’s another story. In general, there is a trend of brilliant loners who purposefully go forth and make life-changing decisions that affect the world. Despite all the stereotypes, they still play an important role in popularizing science, inspiring the younger generation to become space explorers.
The routine behind the scenes of great discoveries
All of these movies do indeed incorporate the real values of real scientists, but the real work of astronomers is quite different from Hollywood scripts. In movies, we often see quick discoveries that change the course of history in days or even hours. In reality, however, scientific breakthroughs take months and sometimes years of careful analysis, observations, numerous tests, and grant-seeking.
Astronomers work not only on observing stars, but also on processing huge amounts of data. Modern telescopes, such as the James Webb or ALMA observatories, are the result of engineers, programmers and astronomers from around the world building and tuning these complex instruments.
Analyzing these data takes years and requires technical expertise and collective synergy. For example, the discovery of gravitational waves was made possible by the collaboration of thousands of scientists from different countries who worked on the LIGO (2015) project for decades. Each was responsible for a specific aspect, from technical support to theoretical calculations. They captured the space-time shift from the merger of two black holes and were able to confirm one of the key predictions of Einstein’s general theory of relativity. In addition, it can take several years from the time the data is obtained to the time the paper is published in a scientific journal. Scientists must not only conduct a thorough analysis, but also prove the reliability of their results in discussions with other experts.
Source: www.ligo.caltech.edu
Such examples demonstrate that modern science is always a team effort. At CERN, the largest particle physics laboratory, thousands of specialists can work on a single experiment. One physicist said: “Science no longer belongs to loners. Today it is a collaborative dance of many minds”. This illustrates well that even the most outstanding discoveries are the result of years of cooperation and joint efforts of scientists from different parts of the world.
Nevertheless, even without dramatic scenarios and loud music, the real work of astronomers remains fascinating. Each discovery is a new piece of the puzzle that helps us understand humanity’s place in the universe. And while there are no real-life moments when one genius astronomer saves the Earth, the daily work of scientists affects our future as much as Hollywood heroes.
This reality is no less impressive than fiction. Because while movies inspire dreams of the stars, scientists help make those dreams a reality. In this collaboration lies a power that not only opens up the universe, but also unites humanity.
