Online Resources
The Carl Sagan Portal
"We are a way for the Cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan
You have arrived at the gateway to the Carl Sagan sites.
Our mission is to awaken the broadest possible public to the wonders of nature as revealed by science.
You have arrived at the gateway to the Carl Sagan sites.
Our mission is to awaken the broadest possible public to the wonders of nature as revealed by science.
Carl Sagan Center at The Seti Institute
How many planets exist that might support life? Indeed, what is required for life to exist? How does life start? How does it evolve, and what fabulous creatures can evolution produce? How often do intelligent creatures appear in the giant tapestry of life? It is exactly these questions that are being addressed by the scientists of the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe.
The center brings together leading researchers in astrobiology, the study of life in the universe. Astrobiology uses modern science to seek answers to the age-old questions: Where did we come from? Are We Alone?
Our team focuses on a wide set of disciplines ranging from observing and modeling the precursors of life in the depths of outer space to studies of Earth and its rich biological history. We seek to understand the concept of habitability, on our planet and elsewhere in the solar system. Many of our scientists participate as investigators in NASA space flight missions, as observers on some of the world’s finest telescopes, and as explorers probing life in inhospitable environments, including the Arctic, Antarctic, high mountains and the depths of the sea. Appropriate to the sweeping scope of this research, we have many partners including NASA, the National Science Foundation, and major universities.
The center brings together leading researchers in astrobiology, the study of life in the universe. Astrobiology uses modern science to seek answers to the age-old questions: Where did we come from? Are We Alone?
Our team focuses on a wide set of disciplines ranging from observing and modeling the precursors of life in the depths of outer space to studies of Earth and its rich biological history. We seek to understand the concept of habitability, on our planet and elsewhere in the solar system. Many of our scientists participate as investigators in NASA space flight missions, as observers on some of the world’s finest telescopes, and as explorers probing life in inhospitable environments, including the Arctic, Antarctic, high mountains and the depths of the sea. Appropriate to the sweeping scope of this research, we have many partners including NASA, the National Science Foundation, and major universities.
The Planetary Society
Who are we? We are YOU!
We are dads, moms, grandparents, teachers, kids, scientists, engineers, and space geeks. We are those who reach out into the Universe to seek answers to those deep questions: Where did we come from? And are we alone?
We are wowed and awed by the discovery of new things, the mysteries of science, the innovations of technology, the bravery of astronauts, and by the stunning images sent back to us from other worlds.
We know that space exploration is vital to humankind...and it is just plain fun!
-Bill Nye, CEO - The Planetary Society
What we do: We create. We educate. We advocate.
With your support, The Planetary Society sponsors projects that will seed innovative space technologies, nurtures creative young minds, and is a vital advocate for our future in space.
Right now we are…
How we started:
The Planetary Society, founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman, to inspire and involve the world's public in space exploration through advocacy, projects, and education. Today, The Planetary Society is the largest and most influential public space organization group on Earth.
The Planetary Society is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States.
We are dads, moms, grandparents, teachers, kids, scientists, engineers, and space geeks. We are those who reach out into the Universe to seek answers to those deep questions: Where did we come from? And are we alone?
We are wowed and awed by the discovery of new things, the mysteries of science, the innovations of technology, the bravery of astronauts, and by the stunning images sent back to us from other worlds.
We know that space exploration is vital to humankind...and it is just plain fun!
-Bill Nye, CEO - The Planetary Society
What we do: We create. We educate. We advocate.
With your support, The Planetary Society sponsors projects that will seed innovative space technologies, nurtures creative young minds, and is a vital advocate for our future in space.
Right now we are…
- Scanning the skies for dangerous asteroids,
- Hunting for Earthlike planets,
- Searching for life in the Universe,
- Advocating for needed science funding,
- And flying our very own solar sail spacecraft, Lightsail-1.
How we started:
The Planetary Society, founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman, to inspire and involve the world's public in space exploration through advocacy, projects, and education. Today, The Planetary Society is the largest and most influential public space organization group on Earth.
The Planetary Society is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States.
The Voyager Golden Record
The Voyager Golden Records are phonograph records which were included aboard both Voyager spacecraft, which were launched in 1977. They contain sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, and are intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form, or for future humans, who may find them. The Voyager spacecraft are not heading toward any particular star, but Voyager 1 will be within 1.6 light-years of the star Gliese 445, currently in the constellation Camelopardalis, in about 40,000 years.[1]
As the probes are extremely small compared to the vastness of interstellar space, the probability of a space-faring civilization encountering them is very small, especially since the probes will eventually stop emitting electromagnetic radiation meant for communication.
Carl Sagan noted that "The spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced space-faring civilizations in interstellar space. But the launching of this 'bottle' into the cosmic 'ocean' says something very hopeful about life on this planet."[2] Thus the record is best seen as a time capsule.
As the probes are extremely small compared to the vastness of interstellar space, the probability of a space-faring civilization encountering them is very small, especially since the probes will eventually stop emitting electromagnetic radiation meant for communication.
Carl Sagan noted that "The spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced space-faring civilizations in interstellar space. But the launching of this 'bottle' into the cosmic 'ocean' says something very hopeful about life on this planet."[2] Thus the record is best seen as a time capsule.