Iesha Javed

Astronomy has shaped human life and culture in the 21st century in more profound ways than ever before. Although star gazing and studying celestial objects has captivated human minds since ancient times, not much of the science could directly influence culture in a tangible sense. Astronomers were sought after by kings and paupers alike ever since the dawn of human civilisation but only in this century has human culture so profoundly embraced the influences of this science. The 21st century seeks to embrace astronomy through its attempt of bringing the order in the stars down to earth- a primordial quest mankind has always been fascinated by. This grand plan has been facilitated by the availability of technology, resources, and skills to give rise to intricately woven urban design, planned cities, hybrid skyscrapers, mind boggling road networks and highways. The astronomical conceptions of vast expanses of space as well as towering heights have been lavishly employed in architecture. Even the use of facade, glass and dazzling lights has transformed concrete structures to seemingly celestial objects. Thus, in an architectural sense our world is becoming more and more space-like with our growing astronomical awareness. Interestingly, even the abstract concepts and ideas that our post modern culture seeks to reinforce are influenced by astronomy. It is not just the tangible world that is affected, our imagination itself has been captured by space science. Science fiction both in film and literature is almost entirely dominated by space travel, alien invasion, time travel and discovering black holes. Meanwhile, technology is equally obsessed with manned space missions and everyone from Elon Musk to the Chinese are competing to promote space tourism. Yet, as mankind moves skywards, there are other elements of outer space that influence our culture. The emptiness, silence, and desolation of a landscape bereft of human companionship seems to be engulfing our world as we floating farther and father away from each other, like celestial bodies drifting away in an inflatable universe.