The Man Who Brought Us the Universe: 4 Things We Have Thanks To Carl Sagan

Though he may be gone, after 25 years, Carl Sagan is still an inspiration to many. 

By Monica Cull
Dec 20, 2021 7:30 PMApr 20, 2023 3:26 PM
Carl Sagan
Credit: (Natata/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

It's been 25 years to the day since the world lost the great Carl Sagan. A man who created a "message to the universe” on a gold record to be carried by the Voyager Interstellar Mission, helped discover that Venus is warmed by greenhouse gases and made turtlenecks a staple.  

Though it has been over two decades since Sagan died in 1996 from bone marrow disease, we are still thankful for the lessons he taught us and the legacy he left behind. In a 2014  Smithsonian story, Sagan's wife, Ann Druyan, recalled a porter from Union Station in Washington, D.C., refusing to accept payment from Sagan, saying, "you gave me the universe." And Sagan did just that with his 1980s series, Cosmos.  

Sagan taught us many valuable lessons about the universe and even made some uncanny predictions about the future. Here are four things we thank him for.  

 He Inspired Some of Our Favorite Scientists  

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2023 Kalmbach Media Co.