Table of Contents

Preface; Carl Sagan at sixty; Part I. Planetary Exploration: 1. On the occasion of Carl Sagan's sixtieth birthday Wesley T. Huntress, Jr.; 2. The search for the origins of life: U.S. Solar system exploration, 1962–1994 Edward C. Stone; 3. Highlights of the Russian planetary program Roald Sageev; 4. From the eyepiece to the footpad: The search for life on Mars Bruce Murray; Part II. Life in the Cosmos: 5. Environments of Earth and other worlds Owen B. Toon; 6. The origin of life in a cosmic context Christopher F. Chyba; 7. Impacts and life: Living in a risky planetary system David Morrison; 8. Extraterrestrial intelligence: The significance of the search Frank D. Drake; 9. Extraterrestrial intelligence: The search programs Paul Horowitz; 10. Do the laws of physics permit wormholes for interstellar travel and machines for time travel? Kip S. Thorne; Public Address: 11. The age of exploration Carl Sagan; Part III. Science Education: 12. Does science need to be popularized? Ann Druyen; 13. Science and pseudo-science James Randi; 14. Science education in a democracy Philip Morrison; 15. The visual presentation of science Jon Lomberg; 16. Science and the press Walter Anderson; 17. Science and teaching Bill G. Aldridge; Part IV. Science, Environment and Public Policy: 18. The relationship of science and power Richard L. Garwin; 19. Nuclear-free world? Georgi Arbatov; 20. Carl Sagan and nuclear winter Richard P. Turco; 21. Public understanding of global climate change James Hansen; 22. Science and religion Joan B. Campbell; 23. Speech in honor of Carl Sagan Frank Press.

Promotional Information

A fascinating and beautifully illustrated collection of articles by a distinguished team of authors, covering the many fields in which Carl Sagan worked.

Reviews

'This beautifully illustrated book (20 colour plates, many more in black and white) is a fitting tribute by more than 20 of his friends and colleagues to the best-known astronomer of our time … it is also exhilarating, because it records a vertitable explosion in our knowledge of the universe - an explosion in which Sagan often acted as a fuse … All the essays are by leading authorities in the field, yet all are accessible to the non-specialist reader. They are full of fascinating and little-known items of information … Carl Sagan's Universe covers such a vast range of topics … that I cannot imagine any intelligent reader failing to derive both information and entertainment from it.' Arthur C. Clarke, The Times Higher Education Supplement

' … presentations delivered at a Cornell University symposium, in October 1994, in honour of Sagan's 60th birthday. It is instructive not only in the subjects covered but in the reverence held for Sagan by the presenters: authors, theologians and sociologists.' Mark Freistedt, American Statesman

'… admirably clear and approachable.' New Scientist

'Respect and admiration Carl Sagan commanded amongst colleagues and friends … Articles include one by Carl Sagan himself … The book is illustrated with 20 colour plates and many photographs. I found this book absorbing and enlightening and a very fitting tribute to Carl Sagan.' Eric Partridge, Astronomy Now

'Carl Sagan's Universe is a remarkable mélange of thoughts, commentaries, and expositions woven into a set of themes that includes planetary exploration, life in the cosmos, science education, and science, environment and public policy.' Sky and Telescope

'… a worthy memorial to a brilliant and humane scientist of our century.' V. V. Raman, Choice

' … a very fine piece of work that will interest a wide range of readers'. Nature

'… I would recommend it to all those who share, or who would like to share, Carl Sagan's optimistic vision of the contribution science can make to a hopeful future for humanity.' Ian Crawford, The Observatory

' … a highly recommended, fascinating, informative and in places provocative read.' Edward Hanna, The Journal of the British Astronomical Association

'… teeming with thoughts and ideas.' The CT

'We have great need for more scientists with Carl Sagan's gift of communication. This is a fitting tribute.' Tony Sheehan, The Open University Geological Society