But you'll never see that in a movie. It goes against the stereotype. It's certainly possible. Astronomy is very accessible, and so many people are interested in it that it becomes a pathway to get into people's heads. Plus, some parts are so complicated that people want to find an easier explanation, even if it isn't right.
Astronomy also provides a grand view, a sweeping venue that can be exploited.
Of course, nothing happened. Right now, there is a resurgence in the idea that NASA faked the Moon landings. All of it is wrong, and some is just plain silly. I have a whole chapter in my book about that too, and a series of Web pages planned. As an example, they say that there are no stars in the pictures from the Moon, and the black airless sky should be full of them, so the pictures must be fake, taken on a set somewhere.