SAGANet (Social Action for Grassroots Astrobiology Network) is a social and collaborative web platform created to connect scientists and science enthusiasts who share interests in the research and culture of

astrobiology Astrobiology (also xenology or exobiology) is a scientific field within the List of life sciences, life and environmental sciences that studies the abiogenesis, origins, Protocell, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the univ ...

Background

SAGANet was founded in 2011 by Blue Marble Space Institute of Science scientists Zach Adam, Julia DeMarines, Heshan Illangkoon,

Betül Kaçar Betül Kacar is an American astrobiologist and an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She directs a NASA Research Center exploring the essential attributes of life, its origins and how they should shape our notions of ha ...

, Sanjoy Som, and Sara Imari Walker. It was officially launched on April 12, 2012 (51 years after the first launch of a human into space and 31 years after the first launch of the

Space Shuttle Columbia Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' (OV-102) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA. Named after the Columbia Rediviva, first American ship to circumnavigate the globe, and the Columbia (personification) ...

(STS-1)), and was announced publicly at the 2012 Astrobiology Science Conference. SAGANet is named after the late

Carl Sagan Carl Edward Sagan (; ; November 9, 1934December 20, 1996) was an American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator. His best known scientific contribution is his research on the possibility of extraterrestrial life, including e ...

(The acronym is used with courtesy of the Carl Sagan Foundation) and builds upon his vision of a citizenry actively engaged in learning about the cosmos. SAGANet is designed to be an immersive virtual community where members interact in an environment of shared learning. SAGANet is currently funded by Blue Marble Space.

Events

SAGANet has organized several events on the site and through various platforms that engage the general public. “Talk to an Astrobiologist” started off as a monthly event where a distinguished scientist is invited to interact with SAGANet members and later evolved with support of the NASA Astrobiology Program to become the YouTube livestream show called ''Ask an Astrobiologist''. Past guests have included David Grinspoon,

Paul Davies Paul Charles William Davies (born 22 April 1946) is an English physicist, writer and broadcaster, a professor in Arizona State University and director of BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. He is affiliated with the Institute ...

Susan Schneider Susan Lynn Schneider is an American philosopher and artificial intelligence expert. She is the founding director of the Center for the Future Mind at Florida Atlantic University where she also holds the William F. Dietrich Distinguished Profes ...

, Kevin Hand, Charles Cockell, Zibi Turtle, and many others from across the realm of astrobiology research. SAGANet salon was a monthly event where members of the community interacted on topics bordering science and philosophy. In the past, SAGANet has hosted academic seminars from

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public university, public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is o ...

and

Stockholm University Stockholm University (SU) () is a public university, public research university in Stockholm, Sweden, founded as a college in 1878, with university status since 1960. With over 33,000 students at four different faculties: law, humanities, social ...

References

{{Reflist Organizations established in 2011 Science communication Popular science