'carl sagan was a professor of astronomy and space science and director of the laboratory for planetary studies at cornell university. he served as an advisor and consultant to NASA and played a major role in the establishment of seti (search for extraterrestrial intelligence). he was a pulitzer prize-winning author and most familiar to the public through his cosmos series on pbs, which has now been broadcast in more than 60 countries and seen by more than 500 million people. in addition to numerous awards, recognitions, and honorary degress for his outstanding contributions to science, sagan is acknowledged as one of the most effective public faces of astronomy and space science throughout the world.
sagan died in december, 1996. to celebrate his legacy on the 75th anniversary of his birth (november 9, 1934), and to increase public involvement in the excitement of astronomy and space exploration, a local coalition of science and reason-based organizations have created the first annual carl sagan day. it is particularly fitting that we celebrate this great scientist in 2009, the international year of astronomy.
we hope not only to make carl sagan day an annual event, but to have other groups celebrate this day each year. we hope to have november 9th officially designated as carl sagan day.'
more information at carlsaganday.org
