Cosmos Continued ... (article) by Susan K. Smith on AuthorsDen

Since Cosmos first aired in 1980, there has been an explosion of new discoveries. And Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson takes off where Carl Sagan had left off last century ... last millennium.

Wikipedia/Thomas Digges map

About 35 years ago, Carl Sagan launched the Cosmos (1980) series. His thirteen episodes brought the wonders of science into our mainstream culture. And with his books and series, Sagan connected many scientific concepts with the arts and the spiritual. As noted in my ZAMM (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) series, I believe Robert Pirsig would be pleased to see this connection of the spiritual, the artistic, and scientific.
[reference: Cosmos: A Personal Voyage - Watch Free Documentary Online]

Below is a clip of Carl Sagan, remixed, extolling the wonder of discovery and our connection with the universe:

(reference: http://youtu.be/zSgiXGELjbc)

Since the passing of Carl Sagan in 1996, a new star has risen, astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. And he has carried on the passion of bringing science to the general public, such as contributing to the PBS series - Nova - ScienceNow.
[reference: Neil deGrasse Tyson]

Here is a sound bite of his perspective of the Cosmos:

(reference: http://youtu.be/x3sPsbv3fnY)

Since Cosmos first aired in 1980, there has been an explosion of new discoveries. And Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson takes off where Carl Sagan had left off last century ... last millennium. On March 9, 2014, National Geographic is planning to start - Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey (2014).

Below is one of the trailers. a lead in by Carl Sagan:

(reference: http://youtu.be/XFF2ECZ8m1A )

For air times, check: 'Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey� to Premiere Across 10 US Networks March 9 at 9PM

Let's have Dr. Sagan have the last word as the new Cosmos continues:

Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us �

there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice,

a faint sensation, as if a distant memory,

of falling from a height.

We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries.

Carl Sagan

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Previous posts in this series:

Science 101 (part 1) - Vernal Equinox (2013)

Science 101 (part 2) - The Sound of Music? (2013)

Science 101 (part 3) - From Galileo to Apollo (2013)

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Photo from: Wikipedia/Thomas Digges map

Web Site: smithsk: Science 101 (part 4) - Cosmos Continued ...

Hiraeth- (noun) - a deep, wistful, nostalgic sense of longing for home; a home that is no longer or perhaps never was. A yearning and wistful grief fo

Reviewed by Susan Smith

Reviewed on March 5, 2014

You are fortunate to meet Carl Sagan, Ron. Neil deGrasse Tyson met him while a teenager and inspired him. (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/science/space/a-successor-to-sagan-reboots-cosmos.html?smid=fb-nytimes&WT.z_sma=SC_AST_20140304&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1388552400000&bicmet=1420088400000&_r=0)

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

I recall the many times I saw Carl Sagan on the Johnny Carson show giddily talking about his "billions and billions" of stars with potential planets--planets that are being discovered at an exponential pace. I attended his session at the AAAS national meeting in Washington DC in 1977 and briefly chatted him with after his talk.

Neil Tyson does seem to be someone quite able to fill Sagan's shoes and carry on the magic of discovery that is the universe. Another star that I've been watching and was fortunate to meet last year is Michio Kaku, also frequently seen on multiple channels. Without the learned and passionate spokespersons, interest in science and space exploration would disappear in the myriad distractions of everyday life on a small planet.

Ron