Dear Diary, Nov 9, 1948

Today is my 14th birthday in high school at Rahway High. I still can’t get over the enormity of this school. It is the biggest building I’ve ever been in. In sophomore science, which happens to be my favorite class, they sang happy birthday to me. I was embarrassed but pleased. School is only fifteen miles away from NYC, so I can see NY from my Honors Literature class, which is on the top floor. It is odd being able to see New York when I am in New Jersey, which is where school and home is. I hope Mom will make a special supper tonight.

A new president, Harry Truman, was elected on Nov. 2. Dad always says that I should pay attention to politics, as I will be participating in them in a few years.

I learned something awesome today. I heard someone talking about it. Astronomers actually get paid for their work!

IntroductionIntroduction• My scientist is Carl Sagan, a well-known:

» Astronomer» Astrochemist» Author

• He was a central character in NASA since 1950’s– Briefed astronauts before Apollo missions– Experimenter on:

Mariner

Viking

Voyager

Galileo

Introduction cont…

• I chose Carl Sagan because he inspired me. He had a dream, and is now one of the most famous astronomers ever.

Man Discovers Truth About VenusMan Discovers Truth About VenusFebruary 21, 1963

Carl Sagan, a renowned astronomer, has discovered an amazing fact about

the planet Venus. As the satellite Mariner 2 flew on a fly-by, its microwave

and infrared radiometers revealed that while Venus’s

cloud tops were cool, the surface was extremely hot—at least 425°C, ending

any hope of the planet harboringany life. Mariner 2, a small satellite

consisting of solar panels, instrument booms, and highly sensitive

antennas, was responsible for picking up the heat waves from the

planet. Carl Sagan was successful in his theory of Venus being uninhabitable.

Sagan Timeline

• 1934- Birth• 1955- Bachelors degree in physics at U. of Chicago• 1956- Masters degree in physics at U. of Chicago• 1960- Doctor of astronomy and astrophysics• 1962- Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory• 1968- Professor at Harvard University• 1971- Professor at Cornell University• 1996- Death

Famous Quotes• “ “ Imagination will often carry us to worlds that Imagination will often carry us to worlds that

never were. But without it we go nowhere.”never were. But without it we go nowhere.”

• “ “ In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.”must first create the universe.”

• “ “ The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, The universe seems neither benign nor hostile,

merely indifferent.” merely indifferent.”

Carl SaganCarl Sagan

Quotes cont…• “ Who are we? We

find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.” Carl Sagan

Quotes cont…

• “Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives...” Carl Sagan

PicturesPictures

When Carl Sagan Was Famous

• Cold War was half-over

• Space-Race

Carl SaganAwards

• Named the, “99th greatest American”

• “NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal”

• “John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award”

• “Public Welfare Medal”

NASA Distinguished Public Service

Medal

BibliographyBibliography“Carl Sagan Quotes." Brainy Quotes. 2008. 13 Oct. 2008

<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/carl_sagan.html>.

"Carl Sagan." The Carl Sagan Portal. 2007. Druyan - Sagan Associates. 13 Oct. 2008 <http://www.carlsagan.com/>.

"Carl Sagan." The Planetary Society. 2008. 13 Oct. 2008 <http://www.planetary.org/about/founders/carl_sagan.html>.

"Carl Sagan." WikiQuote. 3 Oct. 2008. 13 Oct. 2008 <http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/carl_sagan>.