Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson
Name	Neil deGrasse Tyson
Caption	Tyson in 2017
Birth date	5 October 1958
Birth place	Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Alma mater	Harvard University (BA), University of Texas at Austin (MA), Columbia University (MPhil, PhD)
Fields	Astrophysics, science communication
Workplaces	Hayden Planetarium, American Museum of Natural History, Princeton University
Known for	Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, StarTalk, revitalization of the Hayden Planetarium
Awards	NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, Public Welfare Medal

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator renowned for his ability to make complex cosmic concepts accessible to the public. He serves as the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and as a research associate in the museum's Department of Astrophysics. Through his prolific work in television, podcasting, and writing, he has become one of the most prominent and influential figures in contemporary science communication.

Early life and education

Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, his interest in astronomy was ignited by a visit to the Hayden Planetarium at age nine. He attended the Bronx High School of Science, where he was editor-in-chief of the school's Physical Science Journal. Tyson earned his Bachelor of Arts in physics from Harvard University in 1980, where he was also a member of the Harvard wrestling team. He subsequently received a Master of Arts in astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1983 and a Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in astrophysics from Columbia University in 1989 and 1991, respectively, under the mentorship of Professor R. Michael Rich.

Career

His professional career is centered at the American Museum of Natural History, where he became the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium in 1996. He led its $210 million reconstruction, which opened in 2000 and controversially reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet. Tyson has held visiting research positions at Princeton University and is a former member of the NASA Advisory Council. He served on the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry and the President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy under President George W. Bush.

Scientific research and publications

Tyson's research interests include stellar evolution, galactic astronomy, and cosmology. He has published numerous scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals such as The Astrophysical Journal and The Astronomical Journal. His authored books for the public include Merlin's Tour of the Universe, Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries, and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, which became a New York Times Best Seller list fixture. He also co-authored textbooks like One Universe: At Home in the Cosmos.

Media appearances and public outreach

He gained national fame as the host of the 2014 television series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, a sequel to Carl Sagan's landmark Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. Tyson is the host of the popular podcast and television show StarTalk and has been a frequent guest on programs like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. He has served as the executive editor and on-camera host for the documentary series NOVA ScienceNow on PBS and has made cameo appearances in films like Zoolander and television series such as The Big Bang Theory.

Awards and honors

His contributions have been recognized with the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences. He has received honorary doctorates from numerous institutions, including University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University. Tyson is a recipient of the Klopsteg Memorial Award from the American Association of Physics Teachers and was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2007. In 2014, he was awarded the Humanist of the Year award by the American Humanist Association.

Personal life

He is married to Alice Young, a mathematical physicist he met while they were both students at the University of Texas at Austin. They have two children and reside in Manhattan. Tyson is an avid wine collector and has described himself as an agnostic. He has been involved in public debates on topics ranging from STEM education to the intersection of science and religion, often engaging with figures like Richard Dawkins and Ken Ham.

Category:American astrophysicists Category:American science writers Category:American science communicators Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Columbia University alumni Category:Living people