Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan (1934–1996) was an American astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist, and one of the most influential science communicators of the 20th century. Sagan played a major role in advancing planetary science, contributing to research on Venus, Mars, and the atmospheres of the outer planets. He was deeply involved in NASA missions, including the Voyager program, for which he helped design the Golden Record, intended as a message from humanity to any extraterrestrial intelligence. He is best known to the general public for the television series and book Cosmos, which brought astronomy, evolutionary science, and a sense of cosmic perspective to millions of viewers worldwide. At the heart of his work lies a central conviction: science is not only a body of knowledge, but a way of thinking—grounded in skepticism, wonder, and intellectual humility. Sagan consistently emphasized humanity’s place within a vast, indifferent universe, arguing that this perspective should foster responsibility, compassion, and care for life on Earth. Famous for the phrase “we are star stuff,” he combined rigorous scientific reasoning with poetic language to express a naturalistic sense of awe. Beyond astronomy, Sagan was an outspoken advocate for nuclear disarmament, environmental awareness, and critical thinking. His legacy lies in his ability to unite scientific rigor with existential reflection, showing that a clear-eyed view of the cosmos can deepen, rather than diminish, our sense of meaning and responsibility.