Celebrate with Us!
Please join us this November as we honor Carl Sagan and celebrate the beauty and wonder of the cosmos he so eloquently described.
Carl Sagan was a Professor of Astronomy and Space Science and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University, but most of us know him as a Pulitzer Prize winning author and the creator of COSMOS. That Emmy and Peabody award-winning PBS television series transformed educational television when it first aired in 1980, but now, thirty years later, it's gone on to affect the hearts and minds of over a billion people in sixty countries.
No other scientist has been able to reach and teach so many nonscientists in such a meaningful way, and that is why we celebrate Dr. Sagan, remember his work, and revel in the cosmos he helped us understand.
About Carl Sagan Day
The Center for Inquiry and especially our sister organization, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, had the honor of working with Dr. Sagan for twenty years, from 1976, when he was one of the founding members of CSI (then known as CSICOP), to 1996, when he published the last of his many articles in Skeptical Inquirer, just months before he died.
Two years ago, CFI Ft. Lauderdale, FLASH and other groups created the first Carl Sagan Day celebration for his birthday, November 9th, and the idea quickly spread around the world. Now groups from Australia to Alaska are planning star parties, astronomy lectures, science fairs, teacher workshops and more to say thanks to Dr. Sagan and bring his work to the next generation of "star stuff."
Celebrate with us!
Whether you're a CFI branch or an independent skeptics group, an astronomy club or a science department, a researcher, a teacher, or a student, let us know how you're planning to commemorate Carl Sagan Day 2011 and we'll add your event to our CSD calendar to help spread the word. Email your event information to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Very special thanks to Ann Druyan and Druyan-Sagan Associates, Inc., for their gracious permission to use images and content from COSMOS, and for making it possible for so many CFI branches and campus groups to screen COSMOS for this special occasion. Learn more about Cosmos Studios at the Carl Sagan portal.
Carl Sagan Day Posters & Flyers
To help you celebrate the legacy of Carl Sagan this year, please feel free to download one of our featured posters. Click on a poster for a full-size 11" x 17" printable .PDF file.
If you or your local group is planning on throwing an event this year, we have also provided a flyer version with an event information area to use at your convenience.
Who is Carl Sagan?
Carl Sagan was the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University. He was a consultant and adviser to NASA since the 1950's, briefed the Apollo astronauts before their flights to the Moon, and was an experimenter on the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo expeditions to the planets.
In addition to many other awards, Dr. Sagan was a recipient of the Public Welfare Medal, the highest award of the National Academy of Sciences, for "distinguished contributions in the application of science to the public welfare…Carl Sagan has been enormously successful in communicating the wonder and importance of science. His ability to capture the imagination of millions and to explain difficult concepts in understandable terms is a magnificent achievement."
A Pulitzer Prize winner for the book The Dragons of Eden: Speculations of the Evolution of Human Intelligence, Dr. Sagan was the author of many bestsellers, including Demon-Haunted World and Cosmos, which became the bestselling science book ever published in English. He received twenty-two honorary degrees from American colleges and universities for his contributions to science, literature, education, and the preservation of the environment, and many awards for his work on the long-term consequences of nuclear war and reversing the nuclear arms race.
In their posthumous award to Dr. Sagan of their highest honor, the National Science Foundation declared that his "research transformed planetary science… his gifts to mankind were infinite."
Learn more at the Carl Sagan portal.
Upcoming Events
November 3, 2011 — Dearborn, MI
Carl Sagan Day at Café Inquiry (Dearborn, MI)
Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day's topic followed by open discussion.
Attendees willl be discussing highlights from the COSMOS series and the contributions of Carl Sagan.
Hosted by CFI–Michigan
Contact: Wissam Charadeddine, cafeinquiry-dearborn@centerforinquiry.net, 313-516-9749
November 4, 2011
Carl Sagan Day at CFI GVSU
The student run CFI affiliate at Grand Valley State University is throwing a party to celebrate the legacy of Carl Sagan with a day's worth of events including a COSMOS Marathon, Lectures, Free Food & Snacks, and DubStep Rave! Not kidding!
This event hosted by CFI Grand Valley State University.
November 4, 2011 — Portage, MI
Carl Sagan Day at Café Inquiry (Portage, MI)
Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day's topic followed by open discussion.
Join members of CFI–Michigan from Portage for a discussion on Science Popularization: the impact and contributions of Carl Sagan.
Hostested by CFI–Michigan.
Contact: DuWayne Brayton, cafeinquiry-portage@centerforinquiry.net, 269-223-4559
November 6, 2011 — Indianapolis, IN
Carl Sagan Birthday Celebration
Sunday, November 6, 6:00 pm. Episodes of Cosmos will be shown. Email indy@centerforinquiry.net to suggest your favorite episodes.
Hosted by CFI–Indiana
November 7, 2011 — Oakland University – Rochester, MI
Carl Sagan Day – COSMOS Movie Night
CFI On Campus Affiliate, Atheists at Oakland University, will be celebrating Carl Sagan Day with a showing from the Cosmos series! This event is FREE and open to all OU students.
Hosted by Atheists at Oakland University
November 9, 2011 — Grand Rapids, MI
Cosmology Today: Big Experiments, Big Business, Big Science
Join CFI–Michigan for a lecture by Dr. Douglas Furton as part of their celebration of Carl Sagan Day on the 77th Anniversary of Carl Sagan's birthday.
In the 21st century, cosmology is Big Science. Join CFI–Michigan to learn about the newest and most modern cosmology experiments underway today and consider how the results of these experiments are testing some of our fundamental notions of the Universe.
Meetings are open to the Public. A moderated discussion will follow the lecture.
This event is hosted by CFI–MichiganContact: Jennifer Beahan, jbeahan@centerforinquiry.net, 616-698-2342
November 9, 2011
COSMOS at Collin College
Celebrate with CFI On Campus affiliate, the Secular Students at Collin College, by watching a selection of Carl Sagan's famous COSMOS series. The group will be showing episodes of COSMOS as well as providing snacks!
This event is hosted by the Secular Students at Collin College from 6-9 in on campus(BB106).
November 9, 2011 — San Juan Capistrano, CA
Carl Sagan’s Cosmos: Then & Now
Cosmos: Then & Now is a revival of the award winning 1980 Carl Sagan docu-series "Cosmos" starting on November 9th, featuring Dr. David Stevenson. Expert astronomers and fellow scientists present the episodes on a monthly basis providing commentaries which update the audience on advancements to space exploration. Interaction with the audience is encouraged. The program is directed to both children ages 10+ and adults.
Pleas click here for a full event schedule starting November 9th.
This event is hosted by The Kepler Foundation.
November 11, 2011 — Long Beach, CA
COSMOS: A Personal Voyage (Episodes 1 and 2)
There will be a showing of the first two episodes of Carl Sagan's COSMOS: A Personal Voyage at the beautiful Art Theatre Long Beach in Long Beach, California on Friday Novemeber 11th. Showing time is at 11:30 PM and tickets are $11.
This event is being hosted at Art Theatre Long Beach.
November 12, 2011
3rd Annual Carl Sagan Day
An all-day event at Broward College near Ft. Lauderdale, FL in celebration of the life and teachings of Carl Sagan, whose many books, television appearances (most notably Cosmos), and NASA projects influence a generation of thinkers. Speakers include NASA's Dawn (Elliott) Martin and Reggie Hudson, JREF's James "The Amazing" Randi, and Jeff Wagg from the Planetary Society. In addition there will be a fundraising dinner the night before, activities for kids of all ages, educational workshops and a post contest for kids K-12.
Hosted by CFI Ft. Lauderdale , FLASH , JREF, and NOVA SGU. Email carlsaganday@aol.com or call 954-345-1181.
November 12, 2011 — Chicago, IL
Carl Sagan Day Chicago
Join fellow science fanatics and skeptics in downtown Chicago for a panel on Science, Skepticism, and the Legacy of Carl Sagan! Food and drinks will be provided!
This event is hosted by DePaul Alliance for Free Thought, Northwestern University Secular Student Alliance, University of Chicago Secular Alliance, Women Thinking Free Foundation
November 12, 2011
Carl Sagan Day Cosmos Marathon!
Join CFI On campus affiliate, Bruin Alliance of Skeptics and Secularists (BASS), for a fun-filled afternoon of games, kitten petting, and COSMOS watching.The location will be provided pending an RSVP.
November 12, 2011 — Rochester, MI
COSMOS Movie Night
Join fellow CFI members and celebrate Carl Sagan Day with a COSMOS Movie night! Watch selected episodes of Cosmos and enjoy great conversation. If you have a favorite episode contact the event host to vote for which episodes to watch.
Hosted by CFI–MichiganContact: Frank, michigan@centerforinquiry.net, (586) 530-9448
November 20, 2011
Celebrate Carl Sagan with the Michigan Atheists
For their monthly event/speaker series, The Michigan Atheists will be participating in CFI's national celebration of Carl Sagan Day. Gus Pehur, Michigan Atheists Science Director will honor Dr. Sagan speaking about this Pulitzer Prize winning author and creator of COMOS.
This even is hosted by the Michigan Atheists.
Past Events
November 6, 2010 — Broward College, FL
2nd Annual Carl Sagan Day
An all-day celebration featuring guest speakers James "The Amazing" Randi, Dr. Dawn (Elliott) Martin, Dr. Jeffrey Bennett, Jeff Wagg, Nicole Gugliucci, Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack, and including teacher workshops, science displays, children's activities, magic shows, planetarium programs, telescope workshops, star-gazing, food, prizes, and more!
Hosted by Broward College , CFI Ft. Lauderdale , FLASH and JREF . Email carlsaganday@aol.com or call 954-345-1181.
November 6, 2010 — Montreal, Canada
Celebrate Carl Sagan Day with Skeptics in the Pub
Join us for conversation, drinks, and food in a friendly atmosphere at the O'Hara Irish Pub as we celebrate the work and legacy of this iconic figure.
Hosted by CFI Montreal. Email montreal@cficanada.ca or visit our site.
November 9, 2010 — California
Celebrating Sagan Day with “Contact”
Join us for a screening of "Contact" based on the book that Sagan authored. Plus check out some of Sagan's work in a series of wall displays at our Space Activities Lab.
Hosted San Diego Space Society. Email events@sdspace.org or visit SDSPACE.org.
November 11, 2010 — Pittsburgh, PA
Sagan Birthday Party at Buhl Planetarium
November 16, 2010 — Grand Rapids, MI
COSMOS Movie Night
Join fellow CFI members and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the COSMOS series with a COSMOS Movie night! Watch selected episodes of COSMOS and enjoy great conversation.
Hosted by CFI Michigan. Email michigan@centerforinquiry.net , call 616-698-2342, or visit CFI Michigan.
© Center for Inquiry. All images used with permission.