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Dr. Carl Edward Sagan (November 9 1934 – December 20 1996) was an American astronomer, astrobiologist, and highly successful science popularizer. He pioneered exobiology and promoted the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). He is world-famous for writing popular science books and for co-writing and presenting the award-winning television series A Personal Voyage, the most-watched PBS program of all time According to nasa.gov, *. A book to accompany the program was also published. He also wrote the novel Contact, upon which the 1997 film of the same name starring Jodie Foster was based. In his works, he frequently advocated skepticism, humanism, and the scientific method.
Education and scientific career
Carl Sagan was born in Brooklyn, New YorkFor biographical information see A Life in the Cosmos by William Poundstone. Henry Holt & Company (October 1 1999) ISBN 0-805-05766-8. His parents were Jewish; his father, Sam Sagan, was a garment worker and his mother, Rachel Molly Gruber, was a housewife. Sagan attended the University of Chicago, where he received a bachelor's degree (1955) and a master's degree (1956) in physics, before earning his doctorate (1960) in astronomy and astrophysics. During his time as an undergraduate, Sagan spent some time working in the laboratory of the geneticist H. J. Muller. In the early 1960s, no one knew for certain the basic conditions of the surface of the planet Venus and Sagan listed the possibilities in a report (which were later depicted for popularization in a Time-Life book, Planets) — his own view was that the planet was dry and very hot, as opposed to the balmy paradise others had imagined. As a visiting scientist to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he contributed to the first Mariner missions to Venus, working on the design and management of the project. Mariner 2 confirmed his views on the conditions of Venus in 1962.
Sagan taught at Harvard University until 1968, when he moved to Cornell University. He became a full professor at Cornell in 1971 and directed a lab there. He contributed to most of the unmanned space missions that explored the solar system. He conceived the idea of adding an unalterable and universal message on spacecraft destined to leave the solar system that could be understood by any extraterrestrial intelligence that might find it. Sagan assembled the first physical message that was sent into space: a gold-anodized plaque, attached to the space probe Pioneer 10, launched in 1972. Pioneer 11, also containing the plaque, was launched the following year. He continued to refine his designs and the most elaborate such message he helped to develop and assemble was the Voyager Golden Record that was sent out with the Voyager space probes in 1977.
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Carlsagan.com - Official page with articles, including the Baloney Detection Kit. Includes sale of books and videos.
Meta Description: [ We are a way for the Cosmos to know itself. We are a team of writers, filmmakers, producers, researchers, engineers, educators and artists who aim to tear down the walls that have excluded the rest of us from the scientific enterprise. We intend to demystify the language, values, and drama of sci... ]
Carl Sagan - First Sceptic, Then Astronomer - Tribute written by Horst Sommer. Discusses Sagan's achievements, and his role as a speaker for Earth
Carl Sagan Memorial Book - Includes contributions from around the world (hosted by the Federation of American Scientists).
Carl Sagan's Religion of Science - Essay by Scott Detwiler on the religious implications of Sagan's scientific world view as expressed in his writings.
Meta Description: [ Sagan thinks that science replaces religion's function of temporarily filling gaps in our understanding, but leaves religion's benevolent social roles intact. ]
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Carl Sagan, Cornell Astronomer, Dies Today - Media release from Cornell University, Sagan's final employer. Biographical information and a list of major awards received.
Carl Sagan: An Appreciation - Detailed discussion of his work and materialist outlook, and includes a focus on his attitude to Trotsky. Written by Joseph Bradshaw for the World Socialist Web Site.
Contact: A Eulogy to Carl Sagan - Ray Bohlin critiques Sagan's novel, Contact, from a Christian perspective and describes the inconsistencies he sees.
Meta Description: [ Carl Sagan's worldview, as demonstrated in Contact, is critiqued from a biblical perspective and found inconsistent and inadequate. ]
CSICOP News - In Memory of Carl Sagan - Obituary describing Sagan's major achievements, and focusing on his skeptical views. Includes short Real Audio message.
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Dr. Carl Sagan - Profile offers biographical information, a bibliography, and related links.
Even in Death, Carl Sagan's Influence Is Still Cosmic - Discusses Sagan's influence on space exploration, especially at NASA. Article by William J. Broad for the New York Times.
My Personal Tribute to Dr. Carl Sagan - A site dedicated to the memory of Dr. Carl Sagan. Includes pictures of Sagan's gravesite.
Quotes and Books by Carl Sagan - Quotes and references by Carl Sagan and a listing of his many books.
Meta Description: [ Select Quotes Revealing the Wisdom of Carl Sagan. ]
The Planetary Society: Tribute to Carl Sagan - Tribute includes career highlights, posts held and awards won.
Meta Description: [ Brief descriptive sentence here. ]
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