Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was an American astronomer, astrophysicist, and science communicator. He is best known for his research on extraterrestrial life, including experimental demonstration of the production of amino acids from basic chemicals by radiation. Sagan wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "The Dragons of Eden" (1977) and the influential "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage" (1980), which became one of the most widely watched PBS series in history. He co-founded the Planetary Society in 1980, advocating for space exploration. Sagan's novel "Contact" (1985) was adapted into a successful film. He received numerous awards, including the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal.