Carl sagans biography
•
Carl Sagan: The People’s Astronomer
Chapter 4
David Morrison
NASA, Ames Research Center
INTRODUCTION
Carl Sagan was the world’s best known scientist in the late 20th century, serving as our guide to the planets during the golden age of solar system exploration. He was both a visionary and a committed defender of rational scientific thinking. For a time, he transcended the usual categories of academics to become a true celebrity. His life illustrates both the advantages (wealth, fame, access to the seats of power) and burdens (loss of privacy, stress, criticism from academic colleagues) this status implies.
Sagan was propelled on his academic and public careers by a wealth of talent, a large share of good luck, and an intensely focused drive to succeed. His lifelong quest was to understand the universe, especially our planetary system, and to communicate the thrill of scientific discovery to others. A natural teacher, he l
•
Carl Sagan
American scientist and science communicator (–)
For other uses, see Carl Sagan (disambiguation).
Carl Sagan | |
|---|---|
Sagan in | |
| Born | Carl Edward Sagan ()November 9, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 20, () (aged&#;62) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Resting place | Lake View Cemetery |
| Education | University of Chicago (BA, BS, MS, PhD) |
| Known&#;for | |
| Spouses | Lynn Margulis &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;Linda Salzman &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;Ann Druyan &#; (m.&#;)&#; |
| Children | 5, including Dorion, Nick, and Sasha |
| Awards | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | Physical studies of planets&#;() |
| Doctoral advisor | Gerard Kuiper |
| Doctoral students | |
Carl Edward Sagan (; SAY-gən; November 9, &#;&#; December 20, ) was an American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator. His best known scientific contribution is his research on
•
Carl Sagan: A Life
A penetrating, mesmerizing biography of a scientific icon
"Absolutely fascinating . . . Davidson has done a remarkable job."-Sir Arthur C. Clarke
"Engaging . . . accessible, carefully documented . . . sophisticated."-Dr. David Hollinger for The New York Times Book Review
"Entertaining . . . Davidson treats [the] nuances of Sagan's complex life with understanding and sympathy."-The Christian Science Monitor
"Excellent . . . Davidson acts as a keen critic to Sagan's works and their vast uncertainties."-Scientific American
"A fascinating book about an extraordinary man."-Johnny Carson
"Davidson, an award-winning science writer, has written an absorbing portrait of this Pied Piper of planetary science. Davidson thoroughly explores Sagan's science, wrestles with his politics, and plumbs his personal passions with a telling instinct for the revealing underside of a life lived so publicly."-Los Angeles Times
Carl Sagan was one of the most celebrated scientists