Carl Sagan’s scientific legacy extends far beyond ‘Cosmos’

On Nov. 9, 2024, the world will mark Carl Sagan’s 90th birthday – but sadly without Sagan, who died in 1996 at the age of 62. Carl Sagan proposed the ‘Golden Record,’ which features the sounds of Earth, including greetings spoken in 55 languages. Carl Sagan, offering his unique commentary in a scene from ‘Cosmos.’ Advocacy Sagan’s scientific output repeatedly led him to become an eloquent advocate on issues of societal and scientific significance. Indeed, his current citation rate exceeds that of many members of the National Academy of Sciences, who are “elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research,” according to the academy’s website, and is “one of the highest honors a scientist can receive.” Sagan was nominated for election into the academy during the 1991-1992 cycle, but his nomination was challenged at the annual meeting; more than one-third of the members voted to keep him out, which doomed his admission.