Next month marks ten years since the death of one of science’s most well loved public figures. Astronomer and author Carl Sagan, perhaps best known from his much lauded 1980 PBS Series Cosmos, is still looming large in the public eye. The series, which has been broadcast in over 60 countries and seen by an estimated 600 million people is looking for even more viewers as it moves (digitally re-mastered) to The Science Channel this month in honor of the 25th anniversary of its inception.
In addition, The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God, a collection of lectures written by Sagan and edited by his wife Ann Druyan, was released this month by Penguin Press to glowing reviews.
My first exposure to the late Carl Sagan came in 1997, with the film Contact, starring Jodie Foster. I was mesmerized by the film’s depth, its portrayal of a pure love of science, and the debate at the heart of it: Faith in God vs. Faith in Science. As the lights came up and the words “For Carl” scrolled up the screen, I was both educated and intrigued. The film went on to win the 1998 Hugo Award and I went on to talk about it ad nauseam to more or less everyone I met.
The film, an adaptation of his best selling science fiction novel of the same name, was just one of over 600 scientific papers and popular articles and over 20 books written or edited by Sagan during his prolific career. Included in that mix was the Pulitzer Prize winning Dragons of Eden: Speculations of the Evolution of Human Intelligence as well as the best-selling science book ever published in English, Cosmos.
Article comments
1 - Deano
I first ran across Sagan's work as an impressionable 15-year old when Cosmos first aired. It was a deeply fascinating, awe-inspiring show, a terrific book and Sagan ranks as one of those figures you look back on and can easily point to as inspirational influence in your life.
I introduced him also to my younger brother and he subsequently went into astronomy as a career and had the good fortune to attend several of Sagan's lectures prior to his passing.
Sagan inspired a entire generation of astronomers, writers and communicators.
He is missed.
2 - Joseph Guzmán
It's amazing that 10 years has passed, and the influence of Sagan still is felt.
I was part of the Pale Blue Dot III astrobiology conference at Chicago's Adler Planetarium this fall, and Carl Sagan's name was brought up regularly in presentations and talks. Those who knew him, those who worked with him and those who had wished they did.
I visit the Ryerson Observatory on the University of Chicago campus on occasion, and in the astronomer observation log book is Carl Sagan's name and comments on his time here. Quite cool.
It was my first notice. Thanks for reminding me about the anniversary of the loss.
Respectfully,
Chicago Astronomer Joe
Administrator
www.chicagoastronomer.com
3 - Aurel Montgomery
It's nice to hear the personal stories, of the lives he influenced. Thanks for Sharing!
Aurel
4 - Chris Woodcock
If there is a god,Carl Sagan was and is his right hand man.
He had a way of reaching humanity that others would not dream of being capable of.
Carl Sagan was a true hero to me and an asset to Earth.
5 - Josh Gough
This is a great essay. Thanks for sharing this. As much of a Cosmos watcher as I am, I didn't know a lot of these things. Keep up the great work!
Check out the essay I wrote about Sagan called "The Eternally Curious Carl Sagan" and hear me read it aloud as I tour through the new Carl Sagan Pavilion in Second Life:
Take care,
Josh