CARL SAGAN

Born November 9, 1934, Brooklyn, NY

Died 1996

Astronomer, astrophysicist and cosmologist known for his unique and sometimes controversial views on science, religion and politics.

Pulitzer Prize winner for the non-fiction book The Dragons of Eden, he became a household name after writing the groundbreaking TV series, Cosmos with his wife Ann Druyan.

Pushing the field of study devoted to the search for extraterrestrial life, he expressed belief that life could have existed on Mars and helped missions to land there and send communications out into space.

Co-founder of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, a group where scientists and theologians advocate for better environmental protection.