Carl Sagan

Date of Birth: November 9, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: December 20, 1996

Biography

Carl Sagan was an eminent American astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and made significant contributions to the scientific community through both his research and his efforts to popularize science. Sagan was a pioneer in the field of exobiology and was instrumental in the American space program, working as a consultant and adviser to NASA. He contributed to the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo missions, helping to shape our understanding of the solar system. Sagan was also a prolific author, writing over 20 books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Dragons of Eden.” He co-wrote and narrated the highly influential television series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage,” which has been seen by over 500 million people in 60 countries. His ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in an accessible and engaging manner made him a beloved figure in popular science.

5 Interesting Facts about Carl Sagan

1. Carl Sagan was a strong advocate for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and was one of the founders of the Planetary Society.

2. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his book “The Dragons of Eden” in 1978.

3. Sagan was a key figure in the development of the field of planetary science and was among the first to hypothesize that the surface of Venus was hot due to a greenhouse effect.

4. Despite his fame, Sagan faced considerable opposition from some of his scientific peers, who accused him of being more of a popularizer than a serious scientist.

5. Sagan’s novel “Contact” was adapted into a successful 1997 film starring Jodie Foster.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Carl Sagan

1. “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

2. “We are made of star stuff.”

3. “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”

4. “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”

5. “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Carl Sagan’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Carl Sagan had five children: 1. Dorion Sagan – from his first marriage to biologist Lynn Margulis. 2. Jeremy Sagan – also from his first marriage. 3. Nick Sagan – from his third marriage to author Ann Druyan. 4. Sasha Sagan – from his third marriage. 5. Sam Sagan – from his third marriage.