Does the universe make atheists, or do atheists gravitate to the universe?

I’m going only on my personal experience, but it seems that many or most atheists have a passion for space and understanding the universe, and generally an overall interest in various areas of science.
Do you think that an interest or passion for understanding the cosmos is more likely to inspire a person to abandon their religious or spiritual faith? Or do you think that without religion or spiritual belief, people will gravitate toward something else that is “greater than us?”

I would love to hear some personal stories, but any opinions are welcome.

Personally, I was 5 when I decided that I wanted to be an astronaut. I used to lie on the picnic table in the back yard and memorize the constellations, but I never felt a connection to that and my lack of belief in a deity. It just seems to be such a common theme among a group of people that, as a whole, technically only share one belief (or lack thereof), that I wonder if there is a connection, for some.

I do not mean to suggest that a passion for space is something exclusive to unbelievers, or vice versa. I am simply interested in hearing about how it may or may not relate to atheism.