Neil deGrasse Tyson
Celia McDonald
Biography
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born October 5, 1958 (age:56)
second of three children
mother:gerontologist, father:sociologist
born and raised in New York City
Biography Cont.
● attended public schools
o graduated from the Bronx High School of
Science
o wrestling team captain, editor-in-chief of
Physical Science Journal
● Received BA in Physics from Harvard, MA in
Astronomy from UT, PhD in Astrophysics
from Columbia, postdoc at Princeton
● Married Alice Young in 1988
● 2 Children: Miranda & Travis
Interest in Astronomy
● Became interested in astronomy at the young age of 9
after visiting the Hayden Planetarium (which he would
later direct)
● In high school he won many summer scholarships to
study astrophysics in Africa, Utah, and Scotland
● When he was 15 he was invited to give a lecture at the
City University of New York
● Met Neil Armstrong, Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan in teens
Biggest Contributions
● Less research, more public outreach and education
o public face of the field of astronomy
● Able to explain complex scientific concepts to everyday
people
● Makes astronomy and science more compelling and
interesting to average people
● Studies wide range from star formation, to exploding
stars, to dwarf galaxies, and the structure of our galaxy
Contributions
● 5th head of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City
● 1st occupant of the Frederick P. Rose Directorship
● Research associate of the Department of Astrophysics
at the American Museum of Natural History
● President, VP, and chairman of the board of the
Planetary Society
More Contributions
● Appointed to various commissions to study the future of
US space exploration etc.
● Lots of professional publications
o essayist for Natural History
o memoirs and other works
● Host of various science shows
o NOVA ScienceNow
o Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey
● Many awards and honorary doctorates
State of Astronomy
● Pretty much the same as now…
● Most of the things known now have been known for
most of NDT’s lifetime
● Lots of new observations and discoveries have
been made but there haven’t been many large
changes in fundamental theories
● One change is the disqualification of Pluto as a
planet which caused big controversy concerning
NDT
Legacy
● Recipient of the NASA Distinguished
Public Service Medal, highest award
given by NASA to a non-government
citizen
● Recognized by the International
Astronomical Union in the official
naming of asteroid 13123 Tyson
● Voted Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive by
People Magazine in 2000.
Legacy
● Appearance in Action Comics 14, he helps Superman
see his home planet
● meme
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2004 Fifty Most Important African-Americans in Research Science
2007 Harvard 100: Most Influential Harvard Alumni
2007 The Time 100, one of the 100 most influential persons in the world
2008 Discover Magazine "The 10 Most Influential People in Science"
Bibliography
"About Neil DeGrasse Tyson." About Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Hayden Planetarium, 2015. Web. 19 Feb.
2015. <http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/profile/about-neil-degrasse-tyson>.
Calahan, Rose. "Star Power." The Alcalde RSS. Texas Exes, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 19 Feb. 2015.
<http://alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/02/star-power/>.
Dove, Laurie L. "10 Cool Things About Neil DeGrasse Tyson." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com,
22 Apr. 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/famousscientists/astronomers/10-cool-things-neil-degrasse-tyson.htm#page=11>.
"Neil DeGrasse Tyson." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Sept. 2006. Web. 19 Feb. 2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_deGrasse_Tyson>.
Pictures
http://cdn.desktopwallpapers4.me/wallpapers/nature/1920x1200/2/15773-stars-in-the-sky-1920x1200-nature-wallpaper.jpg
http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/media/photos/portraits/neilByDavidGamble-300.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MM3lg2n.jpg
http://3b82d0792415d80c2207-304c88eb898bfe4d29d03d69a474ef5d.r49.cf1.rackcdn.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/02/NeilCampCounselor.jpg
http://3b82d0792415d80c2207-304c88eb898bfe4d29d03d69a474ef5d.r49.cf1.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SteveJackieNeil1980Crop1.jpg
http://3b82d0792415d80c2207-304c88eb898bfe4d29d03d69a474ef5d.r49.cf1.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Neil-Age-4-A2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6mJEbeC.jpg
http://destee.com/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww3.pictures.zimbio.com%2Fgi%2FNeil%2BdeGrasse%2BTyson%2BAlice%2BYoung
%2BCosmos%2BSpaceTime%2BUMHBpj02gNpl.jpg&hash=ce28ae2a3532257de06156a9d2fa5eda
http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/neil-tyson-11.jpg
https://img.4plebs.org/boards/pol/image/1395/53/1395539017964.jpg
http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/198/020/BRTky.jpg
http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/comicsalliance.com/files/2012/11/dcndtactioncomics.jpeg
http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Neil+deGrasse+Tyson+zUxTD3xjKJdm.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Hayden_planetarium_at_night.jpg
★ born: in NYC in 1958
★ Astronomer and astrophysicist
★ Mostly involved in public outreach and
education
★ Helps make science easier to understand
and more relatable to average people