Carl Sagan Day 2026
Look up on Carl Sagan Day. November 9 is the birthday of astronomer and science communicator Carl Sagan (1934–1996), and since 2009 community groups have used the date for star parties, lectures, and Cosmos screenings that celebrate curiosity about the universe.
About Carl Sagan Day
History & origins
Carl Sagan Day falls on November 9, Sagan’s birthday (born 1934 in Brooklyn, New York; died 1996). It is a science-outreach observance, not a federal holiday.
Sagan was a planetary scientist and professor of astronomy at Cornell University, a prolific author, and the presenter of the 1980 PBS series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. He advised NASA, helped select Viking landing sites, and worked on the Voyager Golden Record. He co-founded The Planetary Society and wrote books including Cosmos and the Pulitzer-winning The Dragons of Eden.
In 2009, the Center for Inquiry’s Fort Lauderdale branch and partner community groups organized birthday observances that helped spread “Carl Sagan Day” as a recurring November 9 event with star parties, science fairs, and lectures. The day highlights Sagan’s public teaching about astronomy and critical thinking. Keep the page focused on science education — not partisan or sectarian framing.
Why it matters
Sagan made planetary science feel personal without dumbing it down. A birthday observance is a yearly nudge to read, watch, or go outside and really look at the sky.
How to celebrate
Watch an episode of Cosmos (1980 or later series). Read a chapter of one of Sagan’s books. Attend a planetarium show or a local astronomy club star party. Teach a kid one true fact about a planet. Support a science museum or The Planetary Society if that fits your budget. Skip conspiracy content dressed up as “wonder.”
Facts
- Carl Sagan was born on November 9, 1934
- He taught astronomy at Cornell and helped popularize planetary science on television
- Cosmos: A Personal Voyage premiered on PBS in 1980
- Community observances under the Carl Sagan Day name spread after 2009 events organized with the Center for Inquiry’s Fort Lauderdale branch and partners
- It is not a U.S. federal holiday
Upcoming dates
- Monday, November 9, 2026
- Tuesday, November 9, 2027
- Thursday, November 9, 2028
- Friday, November 9, 2029
- Saturday, November 9, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Carl Sagan Day in 2026?
Carl Sagan Day in 2026 falls on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Is today Carl Sagan Day?
No. Carl Sagan Day in 2026 falls on Monday, November 9, 2026, not today.
What is Carl Sagan Day?
It is an informal science-outreach observance on Carl Sagan’s birthday, used for astronomy education, star parties, and celebrating his work as a communicator.
Who started Carl Sagan Day?
The date is Sagan’s birthday. Recurring public “Carl Sagan Day” events were popularized around 2009 by the Center for Inquiry’s Fort Lauderdale branch and partner groups.
How do you celebrate Carl Sagan Day?
Stargaze, visit a planetarium, watch Cosmos, or read Sagan. Keep it about science and curiosity.
Is Carl Sagan Day an official holiday?
No. It is not a U.S. federal holiday.
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