Carl Sagan unveils the Pale Blue Dot image

30 years ago, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft took an image of our home planet from 6.4 billion kilometers away. Our co-founder Carl Sagan eloquently described what that image meant for humanity.

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About The Planetary Society:
The Planetary Society has inspired millions of people to explore other worlds and seek other life. With the mission to empower the world's citizens to advance space science and exploration, its international membership makes the non-governmental Planetary Society the largest space interest group in the world. Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman founded the Planetary Society in 1980. Bill Nye, a longtime member of The Planetary Society's Board, serves as CEO."

[Sonnell]

Carl Sagan is one of my favourite person ever. The main reason is not that he was a brilliant scientist, or writer or communicator etc. But that you can feel and see, he has all the best intentions. He has love for humankind, and kindly helping everyone the ways he was able to. This is sadly super rare.

[mikerr]

Best photograph ever taken, tied only with the Hubble Deep Field. Where science and art and philosophy collide.

[yulfaweisulf]

I miss him terribly. Mr. Sagan, you will always hail in my life as the greatest Astronomer /Physicist to have ever lived. I am honored that you were here in my life time. Every time I hear "The Pale Blue Dot", I am brought to tears, because I have a comprehension of how important and special our little blue dot is. I so wish everyone could have such a realization. If so, then Humanity would finally breach the final hurtle of becoming ... human. Next to the Universe its self, you stood as my inspiration. May you be enjoying your afterlife, and enjoying the universe in unparalleled splendor.

[Jason-kejf]

If only more humans were immersed in the knowledge of our own insignificance, might we work together to be more significant.

[antontonable]

Carl Sagan is one of my heroes. He speaks for Earth. If extraterrestrials were to encounter humans I would want Carl to speak for us.

[tinkertailor]

I miss this incredible man everyday and will do for the rest of my life

[renk.]

What an amazing human he was. One of the greats.

[sonderjack]

Happy birthday, Carl Sagan. That pale blue dot was immeasurably enriched by your life and works. Your memory continues to be a blessing.

[troughle]

Such a beautiful and humbling view of where we are in the universe

[mattwaters]

So well spoken. A true gentleman of our cosmos. R.I.P. Carl.

[RobinsonSue]

Happy birthday, Dr Sagan. I wish you were still with us.

[a.duncan]

There have been many beautiful words written throughout the ages. Some by famous people, some by simple folk. But Mr. Sagan's encapsulation of both the obvious insignificance of our species, the futility, and yes, even the hope, are without equal in the pantheon of thought.

[nicholasmaude]

Carl Sagan died before his time, I'd loved to have met him when he was alive. I remember as a boy (I was about eight) when I first watched "Cosmos" and that TV series blew me away.

[therealtampadude]

Carl Sagan was one of my heroes. The world is a little darker without him in it.

[javiercastro]

A man who thought outside the box, who from my understanding had to convince NASA to step back from pure science and have the spacecraft point its cameras back at Earth so we could see ourselves in the context/background of everything.

[aritheasei]

The most beautiful photograph ever taken, and the most beautiful speech ever given in human history.

[sainaths.r]

I discovered Carl only recently during the pandemic, Wow a treasure trove of information, some of which has been since factually corrected as tech and space probes improved over the years. I'm sure that's what carl intended too. The narration quality and his voice in cosmos has a kind of spiritual experience on the listener. : )

[pietjepuk]

Unforgettable iconic and very moving image of our planet. Thanks to visionary Carl Sagan.

[cyderman]

One of the all time great pictures. A photo of almost nothing, and at the same time everything.

[sly]

CARL SAGAN. he has my vote for one of the greatest human beings of our planet ever.