The Definition and Relevance of Astrosociology in the Twenty-First Century.

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]