Jiří Grygar, a distinguished astrophysicist from Czechia, marks his 90th birthday today. Having lived through significant historical events like the war and 40 years of totalitarian rule, Grygar has dedicated his life to popularizing science, particularly astronomy, and inspiring young people to engage with the universe. He considers his greatest achievement to be his ability to draw many young individuals into the world of science.

In Czechoslovakia, the understanding of space was often limited, with the cosmos viewed as a vague and distant entity, especially following the historic event of Laika's launch in 1957 and Yuri Gagarin's famous 1961 flight. It wasn't until the early 1980s that the cosmos began to take on a tangible form for the public, thanks largely to Grygar's influential television series, "Okna vesmíru dokořán," which first aired in 1981. This program, written by Vladimír Železný and featuring illustrations by Kája Saudek, played a pivotal role in bringing astronomy to the masses, reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers and marking a milestone in the popularization of science in the Czech Republic.

Throughout his life, Grygar has not only focused on the beauty and mysteries of the universe but has also been an outspoken critic of pseudoscience and public misconceptions about space. As he reflects on his long career, Grygar emphasized that figures like Putin would not escape scrutiny under his perspective, signaling his commitment to truth in science and public discourse. His birthday serves as a reminder of the importance of bridging the gap between complex scientific topics and public understanding, championing the role of educators and communicators in nurturing scientific curiosity in society.