Fact Sheet

When the People’s Astronomer Risked his Reputation

Part of Heroes and Hiccups: True Stories about Nuclear Weapon Risks

When the People’s Astronomer Risked his Reputation

Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan was the most famous scientist alive when waded into what was seen as a political debate to shed light on the impacts of nuclear war. The findings were shocking: even a limited nuclear exchange could cause “nuclear winter,” a period of darkness and extreme cold that could devastate crops and economies. Human extinction could not be ruled out.

He used his platform and popular appeal to publish a feature in Parade magazine in fall 1983, reaching 10 million Americans and changing the debate about whether a nuclear war was winnable.

 

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When Carl Sagan Warned the World About Nuclear Winter

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