Carl Sagan

Carl Edward Sagan (November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996) was an American astronomer and science popularizer. He pioneered exobiology and promoted the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI). He is world-famous for his popular science books and the television series ', which he co-wrote and presented. In his works, he frequently advocated the scientific method.

Legacy

After a long and difficult fight with myelodysplasia, Sagan died at the age of 62, on December 20, 1996, at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. Sagan was a significant figure, and his supporters credit his importance to his popularisation of the natural sciences, opposing both restraints on science and reactionary applications of science, defending democratic traditions, resisting nationalism, defending humanism, and arguing against geocentric and anthropocentric views.

Related Topics:
Myelodysplasia - December 20 - 1996 - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center - Seattle, Washington - Humanism

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The landing site of the unmanned Mars Pathfinder spacecraft was renamed the Carl Sagan Memorial Station, in honor of Dr. Sagan on July 5, 1997. Asteroid 2709 Sagan is also named in his honor.

Related Topics:
Mars Pathfinder - 1997 - Asteroid 2709 Sagan

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The 1997 movie, Contact (see above), based on Sagan's novel of the same name, and finished after his death, ends with the dedication "For Carl."

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In an episode of , a quick shot is shown of the relic rover Sojourner, part of the Mars Pathfinder mission, placed by a historical marker at Carl Sagan Memorial Station on the Martian surface. The marker displays a quote from Sagan: "Whatever the reason you're on Mars, I'm glad you're there, and I wish I was with you."

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In 2004, the electronic music group Sagan released the CD/DVD "Unseen Forces." The music was accompanied by a DVD which featured music video format parodies of many of the historical sketches from "Cosmos."

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