Biographical timeline of astronomer and science communicator Carl Sagan, author of Cosmos and pioneer of astrobiology.
Carl Edward Sagan born in Brooklyn, New York, to Rachel and Samuel Sagan. #astronomy #science
Sagan enrolls at the University of Chicago at age 16, studying physics and astronomy. #education #science
Receives a Bachelor of Arts in physics from the University of Chicago. #education #physics
Earns a Master of Science in physics from the University of Chicago. #education #physics
Publishes seminal paper on the runaway greenhouse effect on Venus, explaining its high surface temperature. #planetaryscience #climate
Awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of Chicago. #astronomy #science
Serves as a consultant for NASA's Mariner 2 mission, which reveals Venus's hot surface. #space #nasa
Appointed as an assistant professor of astronomy at Harvard University. #astronomy #academia
Sagan interprets Mariner 2 data, confirming the high temperature of Venus. #planetaryscience #nasa
Co-authors with I.S. Shklovskii the landmark book on extraterrestrial life and astrobiology. #astrobiology #scifi
Moves to Cornell University as a professor and director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies. #astronomy #space
Awarded by NASA for his contributions to planetary science. #award #nasa
As part of the Mariner 9 imaging team, Sagan helps discover dust storms and seasonal changes on Mars. #mars #planetaryscience
Designs the Pioneer plaque with Frank Drake, a message to extraterrestrials attached to Pioneer 10. #space #seti
Publishes 'The Cosmic Connection: An Extraterrestrial Perspective', popularizing astrobiology. #books #astrobiology
Selected for the Viking landers imaging team, contributing to the search for life on Mars. #mars #nasa
Sagan analyzes Viking lander data; no clear evidence of life, but he argues for continued exploration. #mars #astrobiology
Chairs the committee that creates the Voyager Golden Record, a time capsule of Earth for future interstellar travelers. #space #goldenrecord
Wins the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction for his book on human evolution and intelligence. #award #books
Publishes 'Broca's Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science', a collection of essays. #books #science
Co-founds The Planetary Society with Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman to promote space exploration. #space #advocacy
Companion book 'Cosmos' becomes a bestseller and inspires millions with its exploration of the universe. #books #science )
The 13-part PBS series 'Cosmos: A Personal Voyage' premieres, becoming the most-watched series in public television history. #cosmos #tvscience )
Publishes his only science fiction novel 'Contact', which explores the theme of communication with extraterrestrial intelligence. #scifi #books )
Co-authors the TTAPS study on nuclear winter, warning of global climatic effects of nuclear war. #nuclearwinter #science
Co-authors 'Comet' with Ann Druyan, detailing the science and history of comets. #books #astronomy )
Awarded the Oersted Medal for outstanding contributions to the teaching of physics. #award #education
After the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, Sagan becomes a vocal advocate for safely expanding space exploration. #space #disaster
Awarded by the American Physical Society for his work on nuclear winter and science advocacy. #award #physics
Sagan requests Voyager 1 to take the 'Family Portrait' of the solar system; his subsequent 'Pale Blue Dot' speech becomes iconic. #space #philosophy
Awarded the National Academy of Sciences' highest honor for public outreach in science. #award #science
Sagan is diagnosed with myelodysplasia, a bone marrow disease; undergoes a transplant. #health #science
Publishes 'Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space', reflecting on humanity's place in the cosmos. #books #space )
Receives the National Medal of Science for his contributions to astronomy and science communication. #award #science
Publishes 'The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark', a defense of scientific thinking against pseudoscience. #books #skepticism
Sagan dies from pneumonia related to his bone marrow transplant at age 62. #remembrance #science
Posthumous publication of 'Billions & Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium'. #books #legacy
The Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Cosmos is founded at the SETI Institute. #seti #legacy
