A Beloved Scientist

Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan (1934-1996) Born to Russian-Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, Sagan went on to become one of the greatest and most beloved scientists of the last century. He published more than 600 scientific papers and at least 20 books, one of which was the novel Contact, since adapted to a Hollywood blockbuster. He is most famous for being the host of the popular 1980s TV show Cosmos. Sagan had degrees in physics, astrophysics and astronomy, lectured at Harvard and was a full-time professor at Cornell. One of the central figures at NASA, Sagan helped develop many space missions, and designed the famous golden plaque launched with most space crafts. When asked if he was an atheist, Sagan replied “An atheist has to know a lot more than I know. An atheist is someone who knows there is no god. By some definitions, atheism is very stupid.”

Words of the Week

“How great are Your works, Hashem, how deep are Your thoughts… How abundant are Your creations; with wisdom You made them all…”
– King David (Psalms)