Carl Sagan and the Known Universe

Greg Puentes

About Carl Sagan

Bill Nye, host of Bill Nye the Science Guy, said in a tribute paper about Carl Sagan: Carl Sagan was a scholar and a visionary. He changed the world. His work still does. As I think back on the time I got to spend in his classes, I realize now what made him the best science communicator of his day. He loved discovery, he encouraged exploration, and he celebrated science. That last one was the refrain of his lifes song. He imbued in us students a reverence for science. He wanted everyone to feel as he did that the process of science was what let humans make great discoveries, and that those discoveries somehow will improve the lives of people everywhere on Earth. Carl Sagan had a passion for science that he wanted to share with the world. He wanted everybody to be on the same page as him scholastically, not just for the sheer knowledge of the subject but the many wonders and mysteries that can be discovered.

The truth may be

THE WRITINGS OF DR. SAGAN

puzzling. It may take some work to grapple with. It may be counterintuitive. It may contradict deeply held prejudices. It may not be consonant with what we desperately want to be true. But our preferences do not determine what's true. -Carl Sagan

Cosmos
Cosmos, is a non-fiction novel,
and TV mini-series, about the vastness of the universe and the many wonders it holds. Serving as a hallmark of Carl Sagans career, ultimately leading to him earning Emmy and Peabody Awards, this collection of research and philosophy popularized science all over the world.

The Demon Haunted World

is a commentary on the scientific process through Carl Sagans eyes. Putting a unique spin on high-level decision making, this book was written whole-heartedly to give the common man the same perspective as someone with as much experience in the scientific field. While not having as much of an effect as his book and TV shows Cosmos,

The Demon Haunted World

The Demon Haunted World

influenced an intellectual revolution across the world. Similar to the writings of Voltaire or Nietchze.

Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

Showing a hint of Charles Darwins voice, Carl Sagan and his wife Ann Druyan explore human history down to its roots. Delving deeper than just physical evolution, the book dabs into the evolution of politics, science and overall conscience.

Contact
Contact, published in 1985, is a
science-fiction novel written by Carl Sagan. The main theme of the book is to convey the wonders and horrors of the universe. The main character, Elle Arroway is the director of Project Argus, a group of scientists searching for extraterrestrial messages in space. After deciphering a chain of messages, the scientists build a space craft that travels to the center of the galaxy to meet the aliens that sent the message. This book is loosely based off of Carl Sagans experience as an astrophysicist. A story of what ifs that provokes thought and discovery.

Carl Sagans Effect on the World

After the 1980 TV mini-series, Cosmos, there was a boom across the world of people that were suddenly interested in science. With over 500 million viewers in over 60 countries, it is one of the most watched shows and was until the 1990 release of The Civil War . Carl Sagans voice in the book version is conversational, allowing an ease of access to many demographics. Cosmos, and the effect both the series and novel have had on the world, brought science to the non-scientific community. Allowing the knowledge of tomorrow to be common in the modern world. Asides from his writings, he has made astounding discoveries and has been a part of various large-scale NASA operations. He briefed the Apollo 11 astronauts and was the leading technician on the Voyager, Viking and the Pioneer explorations. He also calculated Venus temperature using the green house effect. In my opinion, Carl Sagan revolutionized science and peoples perspective on the universe, and influenced an

Bibliography
http://www.carlsagan.com http://www.skeptic.com/reading_room/ourplace-in-the-universe/ http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.42 18293/k.156A/Contact_A_Eulogy_to_Carl_Sag an.htm