Carl Sagan
Template:Stub Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was a professor of astronomy at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York who became a celebrity on television and a vocal advocate for increased searches for intelligent life in outer space. Time magazine reported that Carl Sagan "talked with Jimmy Carter about such esoteric matters as black holes and exobiology (the study of possible extraterrestrial life)."[1]
Professor Sagan, like many scientists throughout the 20th century, was convinced that there was intelligent life in outer space. "The significance of a finding that there are other beings who share this universe with us would be absolutely phenomenal, it would be an epochal event in human history," Sagan declared.[2]
Professor Sagan would slip in a subtle pitch for disarmament as he proclaimed his devotion to finding extraterrestrial life:[3]
"We have looked close-up at dozens of new worlds. Worlds we never saw before. And unless we are so stupid to destroy ourselves, we are going to be moving out to space in the next century," he said. "And if I'm fortunate enough to have played a part in the first preliminary reconnaissance in the solar system, that's a terrifically exciting thing."