Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, one of America’s most well-known scientists, has dedicated most of his career to disseminating his knowledge. He has a fantastic ability to communicate complex things in a clear and understandable manner.
After attending Harvard University, he received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1991. Tyson began working for the Hayden Planetarium in 1996 and eventually became its director. He has also hosted NOVA ScienceNow and StarTalk Radio podcasts. Tyson is still a prominent TV science expert today.
Early Life
Tyson, who was born in New York City on October 5, 1958, developed an early interest in the stars. When he was nine, he went to the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History and received his first taste of stargazing. Tyson later took classes at the Planetarium and purchased his own telescope. As a teenager, he used to view the sky from the roof of his apartment building.
Tyson, a brilliant student, graduated from Bronx High School of Science in 1976. He later received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Harvard University and a PhD in astrophysics from Columbia University in 1991. Tyson accepted a position at the Hayden Planetarium after completing his post-doctoral studies at Princeton University.
Career Highlights
Director of the Hayden Planetarium
Tyson eventually became the Hayden Planetarium’s director and oversaw a major refurbishment of the structure, assisting with design and fundraising. The $210 million makeover was finished in 2000, and the refurbished site provided visitors with a cutting-edge view of astronomy. One of Tyson’s most contentious judgments at the time was to remove Pluto from the planet display. He classed Pluto as a dwarf planet, prompting a violent reaction from some visitors. While others asked for Pluto’s return, the International Astronomical Union followed Tyson’s lead in 2006. Pluto has been officially classified as a dwarf planet.
Host of ‘NOVA ScienceNow’
throughout addition to his work at the planetarium, Tyson has discovered other ways to increase scientific literacy throughout the country. “One of my goals is to bring the universe down to Earth in a way that further excites the audience to want more,” he was quoted as saying. Tyson hosted the NOVA ScienceNow documentary series from 2006 to 2011. Tyson has brought variety to astronomy while also bridging the gap between scientists and the general population. He is among the few African Americans in his specialty.
Presidential Advisor to George Bush
Tyson has also worked as a presidential adviser. In 2001, President George W. Bush named the astrophysicist to a group examining the future of the aerospace industry. Tyson also sat on another commission three years later, which looked into US space exploration strategy.
Celebrity Scientist & TV Appearances
Tyson is currently one of the most sought-after scientific experts. He conducts presentations all across the country and is a media darling whenever there is a major scientific issue in the news. Tyson’s ability to simplify complex subjects, oratory talents, and sense of humor have earned him appearances on shows like Real Time with Bill Maher, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show.
‘StarTalk’ Podcasts & TV
Tyson started hosting StarTalk Radio, a science-based talk program with humorous co-hosts, back in 2009. StarTalk’s success led to the introduction of a TV show in 2015, as well as spin-off podcasts StarTalk All-Stars and StarTalk Playing with Science.
‘Cosmos’
Tyson was the host and executive editor of Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey, a 13-episode television series. The series revived the classic science documentary Cosmos. Carl Sagan hosted the original edition, which educated viewers on the origins of life and the universe.
Books
Tyson has written books for the general audience, such as Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries (2006) and The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet (2009). After simplifying complex scientific concepts in “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” (2017), he published “Letters from an Astrophysicist” (2019), a collection of his comments to supporters and detractors.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations
In late 2018, the religion and spirituality website Patheos claimed that three women have accused the famed astrophysicist of sexual misconduct, with one saying Tyson drugged and raped her in 1984. Tyson responded with a lengthy Facebook post in which he contested each woman’s version of events and stated that he welcomed additional investigations. In August 2019, Fox and National Geographic networks, which air Cosmos and StarTalk, issued a joint statement saying they had ended investigations and will continue to showcase Tyson’s shows.
Wife and Children
Tyson resides in New York City with his wife, Alice Young, who has a Ph.D. in mathematical physics. The couple has two children, Miranda and Travis.