Carl Sagan was a highly accomplished American scientist and author, best known for his work in the fields of astronomy and natural sciences. He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1934 and went on to earn bachelor and master's degrees at Cornell University before earning a double doctorate at the University of Chicago in 1960. Sagan became a professor of astronomy and space science and director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University, and co-founder of the Planetary Society.
Sagan was a great popularizer of science and is best known for his Emmy and Peabody award-winning PBS series, "Cosmos," which was watched by 500 million people in 60 countries. He was also the author, co-author or editor of 20 books, including "The Dragons of Eden," which won a Pulitzer Prize, "Pale Blue Dot," and "The Demon-Haunted World: Science As a Candle in the Dark." He played a leading role in NASA's Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo expeditions to other planets, and was awarded the NASA medals for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and Distinguished Public Service, as well as the NASA Apollo Achievement Award.
In addition to his work in astronomy and space science, Sagan also contributed to research on the extraterrestrial life, including an experiment involving the production of amino acids from basic chemicals through radiation. He was also involved in the creation of the first messages sent into space, the Voyager Golden Record and the Pioneer Plaque, which were universal messages that had the potential to be understood by any extraterrestrial intelligence. Sagan continuously argued for the hypothesis that the Venus's surface temperature can be calculated with the help of the greenhouse effect.
Sagan was also a strong advocate for science education and literacy, and his work has had a lasting impact on the field of astronomy and space science. He passed away in 1996 after a two-year struggle with a bone marrow disease. His legacy continues to live on through his numerous scientific papers, books, and television appearances, which continue to inspire and educate people all over the world about the wonders of the universe.