Great Minds: Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot [new HD version]

The Pale Blue Dot is a photograph of planet Earth taken in 1990 by Voyager 1 from a record distance, showing it against the vastness of space. By request of Carl Sagan, NASA commanded the Voyager 1 spacecraft, having completed its primary mission and now leaving the solar system, to turn its camera around and to take a photograph of Earth. It was subsequently used by Sagan as the title of his 1994 book of the same name.

Playlist "Great Minds, Great Words":

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BEST OF CARL SAGAN'S "COSMOS":

1) 10 Years After: Carl Sagan & Ann Druyan Reflect:
2) Lost Between Immensity And Eternity:
3) The Realm Of The Galaxies:
4) Our Galaxy, The Milky Way:
5) Our Solar System:
6) Eratosthenes And The Round Earth Model:
7) The Library Of Alexandria:
8) A Short History Of The Universe:
9) Artificial And Natural Selection:
10) The Cosmic Year:
11) Tree Of Life - 4 Billion Years Of Evolution:
12) The Miracle Of Life:
13) DNA - The Common Basis Of Life:
14) Abiogenesis - The Origin Of Life:
15) Astronomy vs Astrology:
16) Pictures In The Sky:
17) Ancient Astronomy:
18) Triumph Of Modern Science Over Medieval Superstition:
19) The Mysterious Tunguska Event:
20) Life Beyond Earth - Origin Of Life In The Universe

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Voyager 1 was launched on September 5, 1977. Sagan had pushed for Voyager to take a photo of the Earth when its vantage point reached the edge of the solar system. On February 14, 1990, having completed its primary mission, NASA commanded the spacecraft to turn around to photograph the planets of the Solar System.

Between February 14, 1990 and June 6, 1990, one image Voyager returned was of Earth, showing up as a "pale blue dot" in the grainy photo. Carl Sagan gives the distance as 3.7 billion miles (6 billion kilometres) in his book.

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Carl Edward Sagan, Ph.D. (1934-1996) was an American astronomer, astrochemist, author, and highly successful popularizer of astronomy, astrophysics and other natural sciences. He pioneered exobiology and promoted the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI).

He is world-famous for writing popular science books and for co-writing and presenting the award-winning 1980 television series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage", which has been seen by more than 600 million people in over 60 countries, making it the most widely watched PBS program in history.

A book to accompany the program was also published. He also wrote the novel "Contact", the basis for the 1997 Robert Zemecki's film of the same name starring Jodie Foster.

During his lifetime, Sagan published more than 600 scientific papers and popular articles and was author, co-author, or editor of more than 20 books. In his works, he frequently advocated skeptical inquiry, secular humanism, and the scientific method.

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[ZamatoElite]

I've seen this clip a thousand times yet it never seems to get old.

"Astronomy is a humbling and character building experience." So true.

Carl Sagan is a legend.

[VeroniqueCG]

Every time I listen to these words and that music, I end up in tears. It is, indeed, a beautiful exposition. No one has replaced Sagan yet. Probably won't happen. We need to treasure him.

[lawlers]

The Legend that is Dr Carl Sagan 1934-1996 RIP.
What more can I say.

[TimmyDude]

I am born in 1991 and this picture was taken back in 1990. I never realised that so much already had happened on that pale dot before I even came into being. I have watched this video over and over again and every day these profound words truly inspire me to make the best out of the life that has been given to me.

[KehnoK]

Greatest words ever spoken. Thanks Carl

[meghanlivingstone]

This nearly made me cry, just because of how unfathomably perplexing, fascinating and magnificent this universe is.

[BlackEpyon]

And now we shall read from the book of Carl. :P

When I first heard this speech, I was still religious. And this was far more inspiring than anything I ever got from religion.

[laserwolf]

Carl Sagan was the first person to get through to me as an adult and direct me back to a time in my life when 'the sky' offered so much fascination. "What's out there ?" he'd ask, then say "come along, I'll show you" ...made me realize that for the rest of my life I will always love astronomy. I may not always be a good student but my respect is immense for Carl .

[romankrhounek]

I can hear this every day for a 1000 years

[Nofarewell]

No words can possibly express how good this man ("was")...you only have to listen to him...his passion...can be heard in every second. And it has the possibility to inspire and make a change.

[rumbleforce]

14 years ago we lost Carl Sagan. But he still lives on with his inspiring words.

[philhmp]

Carl Sagan:
A truly great philosopher, astronomer & scientist. A fine example of what the human species can produce, reveling in his curiosity, inquiry, imagination, tempered with logic, reason, skepticism, humility, compassion and love for his fellow humans. A true global ambassador for our species and a shining light for all.
We miss you.
Lest we forget.

[gruntyboy]

I watch this and I cry sometimes...

Thank you Carl Sagan

You sir have made this world, and hopefully others, better!!!

:-)

[Myskuk]

Both moving and humbling words of a great man. If only people would hear them and actually listen to what immense meaning they truly have, then maybe this world will be a better place for all of us.

[heth]

When i loose my way in daily life and worry way too much about things. All i have to do is revisit this speech to comfort me. And yes, the notion that we are so small does comfort me. It is as if we are a living parody of life, thinking we are the best. And to know that i can understand our true position offers me comfort in all of the small things in life as well. I will die one day and we all will, but our small moments in this experience will be great.

[LynxChan]

I've seen variations on this Sagan talk many times. It still leaves me choked up. Beautiful.

[navyboydjray]

We need more people like Dr. Sagan. Thank you for opening up a few minds while you were here. We miss you, and your wisdom.

[larsenlmark]

I encountered "Cosmos" back in the early 80's and fell in love with it. I was very sad to hear of Carl's passing. He was truly one of the great minds of our age.

[TopRobbo]

That just blew me away.
I haven't heard a more moving, eloquent and intelligent analysis and plea in a long, long time.

[inneruniverse]

This is the fourth time I've listened to this speech. It's very poetic, deep, informative and most importantly, beautiful. Miss you Carl!