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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. Titan has what distinction among the moons of the planet it orbits?

2. In the analogy Sagan makes in Chapter 5 the reader is asked to imagine they are seeing Earth from what perspective?

3. When probes enter the atmospheres of other planets, what color do they often see the sky to be?

4. In what century was the geocentric theory conclusively disproved?

5. What is Neptune's largest moon?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Saga claim that human beings expressed their desire to wander as civilization grew?

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

6. What undesirable features of human activity might be easily noticed from space?

7. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the planet Uranus?

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

9. What dangers did the Voyager I spacecraft face in taking a distant picture of Earth?

10. What may have happened to other planets from the early solar system?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 1, Sagan discusses in detail the photo of the "pale blue dot" for which he named this book. He regards it as a singular and impressive symbol of man's place in the universe.

1) Describe how the photo of the "pale blue dot" was taken, the risks involved, and how Sagan was personally involved in its creation.

2) Describe the photo itself, using details from the book.

3) Explain how Sagan thinks that this photo demonstrates part of the triumph of the Voyager spacecraft.

4) Discuss in detail the meaning of this photo to Sagan and what it says to him about man's place in the universe.

Essay Topic 2

Sagan discusses the a manned mission to Mars as a desirable first step in extending the human race out beyond the Earth but identifies many practical problems with any proposed plan.

1) Explain why Sagan believes that a manned mission should be sent to the planet Mars.

2) Discuss some of the proposals for such a mission, what their aims would be, and how they would be carried out technically.

3) Describe the practical difficulties that Sagan outlines and how they could be overcome.

Essay Topic 3

The program SETI is the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Sagan endorses this program whole-heartedly despite its failure to date and many complaints about its cost.

1) Explain the SETI program and its goals, and how it goes about its search for intelligence.

2) Discuss some of the criticisms about the SETI program.

3) Explain why Sagan maintains his support for the program, despite its failure to date.

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