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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sagan suggests that the image of the "pale blue dot" teaches the need for what?

2. What scientist is credited with making the first discoveries that caused problems for the geocentric theory?

3. What type of waves could be analyzed to demonstrate that there is intelligent life on Earth?

4. Which planet was Voyager 2 intended to visit first?

5. According to Sagan, when viewed from space, how apparent would the existence of life on Earth be?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the problem of perspective in estimating the importance of human beings?

2. What seemingly important features of humanity does Sagan deny to be distinguishing?

3. What does Sagan believe about the intelligence of the Voyager spacecraft.

4. What are the "great demotions" that Sagan refers to?

5. What would be the first things an alien visitor to Earth would notice about the planet?

6. What message do the Voyager craft carry with them from Earth?

7. What advantage make it more likely that the Voyager records will eventually be found?

8. What planets had been explored by human beings, at the time of the writing of this book?

9. How did ancient people know about the planets?

10. As of 1990, what had the Voyager spacecraft achieved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sagan suggests that the colonization of distant worlds is both feasible and critical to humanity.

1) Explain how does Sagan envisions colonization of distant worlds occurring. What would be the motive for such efforts?

2) Discuss some of the targets that Sagan suggests for colonization, including non-planets.

3) Describe why Sagan believes that colonization is critical to securing the safety of the human race.

Essay Topic 2

Sagan regards the Voyager craft as triumphs of engineering and human ingenuity. These craft were designed to explore most of the planets in the solar system, and then to journey outwards from it to the stars.

1) Describe the Voyager craft, their missions, and capabilities. What planets were these craft intended to explore?

2) Discuss the differences between the Voyager mission and previous efforts in space exploration. How were these craft significantly different?

3) Explain Sagan's particular interest in the Voyager craft and why he believes them each to be a triumph.

4) Summarize some of the important observations that the Voyager craft made.

Essay Topic 3

The Apollo Missions had an enormous impact on the field of space exploration, on the international status of the United States, and on the public's interest in space and science in general.

1) Describe the Apollo moon landings, their operation, mission, and the scientific information gained from them.

2) Discuss the effect that Sagan says the landings had on the international standing of the United States.

3) Explain how the moon landings impacted the field of space exploration and sparked the public's interest in the field. Cite Sagan's arguments to explain specific ways that this occurred.

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