Neil deGrasse Tyson

(October 5, 1985 - )

by Donovan Dicks

Overview

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson was born in New

York, New York on October 5, 1985. He was raised in New York and began his interest in space

at an early age (A + E Networks). At age nine, Tyson visited the Hayden Planetarium at the

Museum of Natural History and had his first star-gazing experience (A + E Networks). Later

Tyson received his own telescope and watched the stars from the roof of his apartment building

(A + E Networks). He would go on to graduate from the Bronx High School of Science, and

continue on to college where he received his BA in Physics at Harvard University and his PhD in

Astrophysics from Columbia University (The Hayden Planetarium). Tyson researches broad

areas of astrophysics including star formation and destruction and the structure of galaxies (The

Hayden Planetarium).

Vision

Tyson strives to improve the nations scientific knowledge, saying one of [his] goals is

to bring the universe down to Earth in a way that further excites the audience to want more (A +

E Networks). In an interview, Tyson provides two books which he finds most influential to him

(New York Times Company). He works to write books to educate and influence the public as

those books were to him (New York Times Company). Tyson gives speeches around the nation

and appears on television frequently, including shows that he has hosted (A + E Networks).

Challenges
 Tyson faces many challenges in the scientific world with many unanswered questions

(An Interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson). His studies have theories and evidence from many

different fields of science (An Interview). The differing fields have different views and lexicons

which pose blocks between scientific fields (An Interview). Working with other scientists from

different studies and around the world is like the United Nations: [they] came together, but no

one speaks the same language, so [they] need some translators, he says. (A Conversation With

Neil Tyson). Tyson has also faced racial challenges, and is one of the few African-Americans in

his field (A Conversation). One of Tysons biggest challenges is making complex science

approachable to the public (Neil deGrasse Tyson Interview). He strives to educate the public

through different pathways of thinking (Neil deGrasse Tyson Interview). Rather than dumbing

down the science, Tyson works to tackle it from different angles and views to make it

approachable and understandable to the public (Neil deGrasse Tyson Interview).

Triumphs

Tyson would return to the place where it all started, the Hayden Planetarium. There he

became the first occupant of the Frederick P. Rose Directorship of the planetarium (The Hayden

Planetarium). Tyson was able to pull an incredible 210 million dollar renovation together for the

planetarium which was completed in 2000 (A + E Networks). Later he made the decision to

remove Pluto from the planets and classify it as a dwarf planet, a decision the International

Astronomical Union followed in 2006 (A + E Networks). Tyson is also serving on the Planetary

Societys Board of Directors; he is currently the Chairman of the Board (The Planetary Society).

In 2012, he released his tenth book detailing his thoughts on space exploration (The Hayden

Planetarium). From 2006 to 2011, he hosted PBSs Nova ScienceNow documentary, and is

hosting the reboot of the series Cosmos, titled Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey (The Hayden
Planetarium). Tyson also recently hosted the series Origins on PBS (The Planetary Society). In

2001 and 2004, President George W. Bush appointed Tyson to serve on commissions that

focused on the nations aerospace industry and space exploration (The Planetary Society). He has

received eighteen honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal (The

Hayden Planetarium).

Impact

Tyson has become one of the most prevalent and influential scientists of the generation.

He is an important figure in the world of science and science education, and is striving to spread

his knowledge and research about the universe. Tyson reaches many audiences with knowledge

he has simplified to educate the public. For those seeking a career in science, he is a role model

for scientific interest and curiosity. Tyson has made various large impacts on the nation and our

society, and will continue to do so throughout his career.

 Works Cited

A+E Networks. "Neil deGrasse Tyson .biography." bio. True Story. A+E Networks, 2014. Web.

10 Feb. 2014.

American Museum of Natural History. "Neil deGrasse Tyson." American Museum of Natural

History. American Museum of Natural History, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

The Hayden Planetarium. "About Neil deGrasse Tyson." Neil deGrasse Tyson. Hayden

Planetarium, 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

New York Times Company. "Neil deGrasse Tyson: By the Book." The New York Times. New

York Times Company, 19 Dec. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

The Planetary Society. "Neil deGrasse Tyson." The Planetary Society. Planetary Society, 2013.

Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

Tyson, Neil DeGrasse. "A Conversation With Neil Tyson." Interview by NOVA. NOVA. WGBH

Educational Foundation, 28 Sept. 2004. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.

- - -. "An interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson." Interview by Greg Ross. American Scientist.

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.

- - -. "Neil deGrasse Tyson Interview." Interview by Jim Clash. askmen. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb.

2014.