December 20 is the anniversary of Carl Sagan's death.  In his honor, there is going to be a Carl Sagan Memorial Blogathon on that day. 

Most people don't know how much of an impact Carl Sagan had on me.  Me, the girl who'd been discouraged out of math and science by her teachers since the age of 9.  Me, the person who was eventually convinced that it would just never be her thing.  Me, the kid who looked down on science as hard, unfeeling, hypertechnical, and generally irrelevant. 

Carl Sagan gave me the joy of the natural world.  Carl Sagan gave me the passion of the stars. 

If there has ever been an experiment in my mind, it was thanks to him. 

Further thoughts on the 20th.  We miss you, Carl.