5 things you need to know about … people who don’t dumb down science.

Mark looks at 5 of the most influential and exciting men in science.

Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan’s influence runs deep. Responsible for the biggest en-masse renunciation of theism in human history, glimpses of the epic nature of Carl Sagan’s vast intellect delivered in his haunting timbre simply stupefy normal people.

David Attenborough

The paragon of grandads, David Attenborough brought natural history to a dreary post-war society that frowned upon teaching girls to read. Atten-bro just shows the rest of the world where it’s at.

Brian Cox

As wise and cuddly as a velvet owl, Prof. Brian Cox of D:Ream is a particle physics supergenius of Dr Manhattan proportions. His jolly little cherubim face infectiously introduces complex celestial concepts to a population who tend to snigger at the word Uranus.

Alan Moore

Neo-pagan occultist Alan Moore may look like Santa’s depressive nephew, but exploring the higher scientific concepts of theoretical quantum physics and floating through avant-garde poetry readings like Rasputin at Mardi Gras has earned him deserved notoriety as one of Britain’s best loved genius-level weirdos.

James Burke

Philosophical, thought-provoking and influential, not to mention being the man who presented the Moon Landing, James Burke’s musing on the history of science and technology make being human feel much less of an ecological chore.