Space & Astronomy

Carl Sagan left a poignant message on Mars for future explorers to find

By T.K. Randall
November 18, 2025

Image: Carl Sagan with a Viking Lander
Credit: (PD) NASA/JPL Carl Sagan, who famously described the Earth as a "pale blue dot suspended in a sunbeam", was a celebrated astronomer and planetary scientist who inspired whole new generations with his efforts to promote and communicate science and to forward the search for intelligent alien life.

Sadly, Sagan died back in 1996, but his legacy lives on - even on other worlds.

Shortly before his death, he recorded a message intended for the first humans to set foot on Mars.

Saved onto a silica-glass mini-DVD for the purposes of longevity, the message arrived on Mars in 2008 aboard NASA's Phoenix lander where it remains to this day, just waiting to be found.

In the message, Sagan introduces himself, talks a bit about the place where he worked, then goes on to discuss the roles of science and science fiction with respect to Mars exploration.In the last part of the message, he talks about the possible reasons that humans have reached Mars, such as to safeguard our species against some catastrophe that renders Earth uninhabitable.

He also suggests that perhaps we have reached Mars due to a 'deep nomadic impulse'.

"Whatever the reason you're on Mars is, I'm glad you're there," he concludes.

"And I wish I was with you."

You can hear the message in Sagan's own voice in the video below.


Source: IFL Science

Tags: Carl Sagan, Mars