Carl Sagan

Today is the 75th anniversary of Dr. Sagan's birth. We fans of his are celebrating his life today. Thinking about what he taught us, how he influence us, and writing these thoughts in our blogs.

I first discovered Carl Sagan in the PBS television series "Cosmos." "Cosmos" woke up a spirit in me that still lives, a spirit of awe at the universe, of discovery, of learning. This is the closest I've ever been to a real religious experience; realizing we are, all of us, Star Stuff.

I now have that television series on DVD. I watch it now and again when I need to reconnect to that feeling. It's wonderful. I have the book that went along with the show, too - also wonderful.

I include in my essential library several of his books. "A Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" leads this list, followed quickly by "Cosmos," "The Varieties of Scientific Experience" and the fictional novel, "Contact." I have several more I need: "A Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space," "Billions & Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium," "The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence," and "Broca's Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science."

I watched Carl on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. Carl had an easy way of talking to people, about anything, but especially about science. How could anyone listen to him and not be influenced? He made science real, interesting, and fun.

I never met him personally, but I miss him dearly.