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Supporters of astrobiology continue to organize the field around formalized associations and organizations under the guise of the so-called “hard” sciences (e.g., biology and the related physical/natural sciences). The so-called “soft” sciences—including sociology and the other social sciences, the behavioral sciences, and the humanities—remain largely separated from this dynamically growing field. However, as argued in this paper, space exploration involving the search for extraterrestrial life should be viewed as consisting of two interrelated parts (i.e., two sides of the same coin): astrobiology and astrosociology. Together, these two fields broadly combine the two major branches of science as they relate to the relationship between human life and alien life, as appropriate. Moreover, with a formalized system of collaboration, these two complimentary fields would also focus on the implications of their research to human beings as well as their cultures and social structures. By placing the astrosociological implications of astrobiology at a high enough priority, scientists interested in the search for alien life can augment their focus to include the social, cultural, and behavioral implications that were always associated with their work (yet previously overlooked or understated, and too often misunderstood). Recognition of the astrosociological implications expands our perception about alien life by creating a new emphasis on their ramifications to human life on Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As we move beyond the fiftieth anniversary of the dawn of the space age, a curious question looms in the background. Why has the discipline of sociology, and the other social sciences, formally ignored the study of social, cultural, and behavioral patterns related to space exploration (i.e., astrosocial phenomena)? There is a void, reminiscent of the false view of outer space as an empty vacuum, represented by sociology’s failure to focus on outer space issues. The attempt to develop astrosociology as a reaction to this long-term reality initially met with some resistance and even ridicule. Simultaneously, however, the support for this new multidisciplinary social science field has grown more intense since the field’s inception. As this author was trained as a sociologist, this essay concentrates on the sociological discipline’s failure to recognize the void. Other types of social scientists can describe the realities of their own disciplines more accurately. In the present case, the study of astrosocial phenomena exists in unorganized forms within sociology and more notably external to it within the space community. Because most astrosocial phenomena presently exist in terrestrial environments, their ramifications for space-capable societies continue to manifest themselves in significant ways. This article addresses some of the issues related to the continued development of astrosociology and the benefits of doing so, using the important example of social problems as the focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a discipline, sociology has largely refused to address astrosocial phenomena(i.e., social/cultural patterns related to "outer" space). A large element of this self-imposed indifference/resistance relates to the general assumption that this neglected area of social life is not legitimate and thus not worthy of sociological inquiry. This essay takes the defiant stand that, not only should astrosociological issues be considered legitimate, any space enthusiast strongly interested in astrosocial phenomena must strongly consider astrosociology as the focus of his or her professional career (despite the potential negative consequences).This essay invites sociologists and other interested scientists to join in breaking down the boundaries currently excluding astrosociological issues from the mainstream discourse within the sociological community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this essay is to articulate a preliminary understanding of astrosociology in terms of its definition, scope, and its relevance as a new subfield of sociology. As an introduction to astrosociology, this essay represents a foundation on which interested scientists can build a new focused body of astrosociological knowledge and literature. Astrosociology is defined as the sociological study of the two-way relationship between astrosocial phenomena and other aspects of society (i.e., non-astrosocial phenomena or other social phenomena) at the various levels of social reality and organization (i.e., the micro, middle, and macro levels of analysis). The concept of astrosocial phenomena pertains to all social conditions, social forces, organized activities, objectives and goals, and social behaviors directly or indirectly related to (1) spaceflight and exploration or (2) any of the space sciences (e.g., astronomy, cosmology, astrobiology, astrophysics). It includes all outcomes of these phenomena in the form of scientific discoveries and technological applications, new paradigms of thought in the astrosocial and non-astrosocial sectors of society, as well as any resulting changes of social norms and values in any of the social structures of a particular society. The separation of a particular society into two sectors interacting at the macro-level of complexity represents a dimension of social life previously unexplored as an important element of cultural character and an instigator of social change. The excerpts above are from Part One of the "Inaugural Essay" on my website (www.astrosociology.com). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]