Carl Sagan Day

Supriya Jain
Dec 22, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Mar 25, 2022
Fact-checked by Amatullah Gulbargawala
Carl Sagan Day celebrates his contributions to NASA in the quest for finding life on other planets.

Where is Carl Sagan Day celebrated?

Carl Sagan Day is celebrated in the US on November 9 every year in honor of the director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies, at Cornell University.

Who is Carl Sagan Day celebrated by?

Carl Sagan Day is celebrated by the students, researchers, and academicians to pay their reverence to the legend in the field of astronomy.

When did Carl Sagan Day first start?

Carl Sagan Day was first observed in 2009 in honor of the scientist who assembled the physical messages sent aboard the voyager missions with his then (to-be) wife Ann Druyan.

Who started Carl Sagan Day?

Carl Sagan Day was started by the Center For Inquiry in Fort Lauderdale and FLASH-Florida Atheists and Secular Humanists in 2009.

History And Timeline

Carl Edward Sagan was born on November 9, 1934, in New York. Sagan wrote extensively on astrophysics, astronomy, cosmology, and astrobiology.

Also a science communicator, he has the ability to convey his scientific knowledge to the general population at ease. After the TV series 'Cosmos; A Personal Voyage' became popular in 1980, he went forth to write a book exemplifying content on similar lines.

Sagan Earned A PhD

Sagan presented a thesis on 'Physical Studies of the Planets' and earned a thesis from the University of Chicago.

1960

Sagan's Miller Fellowship

Carl Edward Sagan got a Miller Research Fellowship under the University of California, Berkeley, where the brilliant young scientists line up.

1960-62

Carl Sagan's TV Series

A 13 part TV series, 'Cosmos; A Personal Voyage', was co-written and narrated by Carl Sagan. Over a billion people watched the series.

1980

Legacy Lives On

Carl Sagan bid adieu to the world when he was just 62 when pneumonia took a toll on his life.

1996

A Day To Pay Tribute

In 2009, it was decided that November 9 every year would be celebrated as Carl Sagan Day to commemorate his birth anniversary.

2009

Traditions Or Customs

Since the day came into being following the efforts of Florida Atheists and Secular Humanists (FLASH), events are held every year in Florida to pay tribute to Carl Edward Sagan. The day also witnesses astronomy lectures, teacher workshops, and science fairs every year.

Besides these, star parties are also conducted, where people join together to view the sky and explore its hidden marvels.

Ways To Observe Carl Sagan Day

This day, you can host star parties or public viewing. Try to arrange a telescope, and needless to say, the day will be memorable for kids and adults alike.

On Carl Sagan Day, go to a bookstore or a local library to grab some of Sagan’s bestsellers. Then, visit your local observatory if you are a planetary science enthusiast.

On this day, science fairs and events are held across the country, one famous one being the Carl Sagan Look-Alike Contest.

Facts And Stats

  • Carl Sagan Day celebrates the birth anniversary of the eminent scientist, American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, author, astrobiologist, and science communicator Carl Sagan.
  • The day falls on November 9 every year and honors his ocean of contributions to the world of science.
  • Different events are organized on Carl Sagan Day across the US.

What is the importance of celebrating Carl Sagan Day?

The importance of Carl Sagan Day is that it honors the eminent scientist Carl Sagan who has made huge contributions to science.

What are some benefits of celebrating Carl Sagan Day?

The benefit of celebrating Carl Sagan Day is that the day helps us revisit the contributions of Carl Sagan in scientific fields like astronomy, physics, and chemistry. The day also inspires young minds to develop an interest in science. The day promotes rational and scientific learning and brings a thirst to explore the unexplored mysteries of the universe.

What are the limitations in celebrating Carl Sagan Day?

The limitation to celebrating Carl Sagan Day is non-availability and non-accessibility to observatories and scientific tools. The exclusive events organized on this day in Florida can only be enjoyed by people present in the city.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Monday, November 09, 2020
  • Tuesday, November 09, 2021
  • Wednesday, November 09, 2022
  • Thursday, November 09, 2023
  • Saturday, November 09, 2024

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Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

Supriya Jain picture

Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

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Fact-checked by Amatullah Gulbargawala

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Bachelor of Education specializing in the Language Arts

Amatullah Gulbargawala picture

Amatullah GulbargawalaBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Bachelor of Education specializing in the Language Arts

Amatullah is a passionate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Ashoka College of Education. With a keen interest in literature, she has excelled in elocution competitions and is an accomplished writer. She has completed courses like "History of English Language and Literature", "Introduction to Western Political Thought and Theory", and "Development of Soft Skills and Personality". In her free time, Amatullah enjoys reading books and writing poetry.

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