Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson - African Americans, Career and Facts

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Neil deGrasse Tyson's Personal Details

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an eminent astrophysicist and a popular science communicator

InformationDetail
BirthdayOctober 5, 1958
NationalityAmerican
FamousAfrican American Scientists, African Americans, Black Scientists, Columbia University, Harvard University, University Of Texas, Scientists, Astrophysicists, ENFJ
SpousesAlice Young
Known asDr. Neil Tyson
ChildrensMiranda Tyson, Travis Tyson
Universities
  • Columbia University,Harvard University,University Of Texas
  • 1991-05 - Columbia University
  • 1980-06 - Harvard University
  • 1983-05 - University of Texas at Austin
  • 1976-06 - The Bronx High School of Science
  • 1989-05 - Columbia University
Notable Alumnis
  • Columbia University
  • Harvard University
  • University Of Texas
Birth PlaceManhattan
Height188
GenderMale
FatherCyril deGrasse Tyson
MotherSunchita Feliciano Tyson
Net Worth$1 million as of May 11,2017
Sun SignLibra
Born inManhattan
Famous asAstrophysicist

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Neil deGrasse Tyson's photo

Who is Neil deGrasse Tyson?

One of the most popular science communicators in the contemporary world, Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist and cosmologist who served on the 12-member commission that studied the Future of the US Aerospace Industry in 2001. As an astrophysicist his achievements are many but it is his works as a science communicator that has made him the widely popular name that he is today. He hosted ‘Nova Science Now’, an educational News magazine for a few years, helping disseminate scientific knowledge to the audience. Over the years he went on to become a much loved science communicator, gaining fans not just in the United States, but from all over the world. Tyson is not just a brilliant scientist, but also an awesome presenter. His vast knowledge in a variety of scientific fields, his sense of humor, rhetoric, and the manner in which he presents the shows adds to his mass appeal. The thousands of views his Youtube videos garner is a proof of his ever growing popularity. He is particularly famous for his views on science and spirituality, a topic on which he has written numerous articles and given many speeches. As an African American he also has very strong views about racial equality and social justice.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born on 5 October 1958, in Manhattan, as one of the three children of Cyril deGrasse Tyson, an African American, and Sunchita Marie Tyson, who was of Puerto Rican origins. His father, a sociologist, was the first Director of Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited, while his mother was a gerontologist.

He attended several public schools in New York City before enrolling at the Bronx High School of Science. He was an athletic youngster who captained the wrestling team. An intelligent and curious boy, he was deeply fascinated by astronomy and was the editor-in-chief of the school’s ‘Physical Science Journal’. He graduated in 1976.

His interest in astronomy turned to obsession and he studied all that he could on the subject. He went to Harvard University from where he earned a bachelor's degree in Physics in 1980. While at college he continued to pursue his interest in wrestling and was also a talented dancer.

He moved on to the University of Texas at Austin for his graduate work and received a Master of Arts in astronomy in 1983.

Career

He was appointed as a lecturer in astronomy at the University of Maryland in 1986. He remained there only till 1987 and was accepted into Columbia University the next year. After two years of rigorous research he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in astrophysics in 1991.

His mentor at Columbia University was Professor R. Michael Rich who helped him in obtaining funds to support his doctoral research from NASA and the ARCS foundation. With the help of the funding he attended international meetings in Italy, Switzerland, Chile, and South Africa.

He also began writing in the 1990s. He started writing the column, ‘Universe’ for the ‘Natural History’ magazine in 1995 which went on to become very popular. The magazine released a special edition titled ‘City of Stars’ (2002), in which Tyson popularized the term "Manhattanhenge" which describes the two days in a year on which the evening sun aligns with the street grid in Manhattan.

The US President George Bush appointed Tyson as a member of the 12-member commission to study the Future of the US Aerospace Industry in 2001. Working along with the other members, he played a key role in the publication of the final report in 2002 which contained recommendations for the government on optimizing the future of space exploration and national security.

President Bush once again appointed him in 2004 to serve on a 9-member commission to the Implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy. A couple of years later he was appointed by the head of NASA to serve on its Advisory Council.

In 2004, he hosted the four-part miniseries ‘Origins’ of the PBS ‘Nova’ series. Along with Donald Goldsmith he co-authored ‘Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution’ as a companion book for the series.

He was a speaker at the ‘Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival’ symposium in November 2006. He became a regular on the series ‘The Universe’, broadcast on ‘The History Chanel’.

In 2009, he again collaborated with Donald Goldsmith as the narrator on the documentary ‘400 Years of the Telescope’ which premiered on PBS.

At present he is serving as the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. He is also a research associate in the department of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. His Youtube videos are also very popular.

Awards & Achievements

In 2004, he received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by NASA.

In 2009, he was presented with the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award from the Space Foundation for significant contributions to public awareness of space programs. The same year he also received Isaac Asimov Award from the American Humanist Association.

Personal Life & Legacy

He met Alice Young in a physics class at the University of Texas. They got married in 1988 and were blessed with two children.

Trivia

This popular astrophysicist was named the ‘Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive’ by ‘People Magazine’ in 2000.

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Neil deGrasse Tyson's awards

YearNameAward

Other

0NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal - 2004
0 Klopsteg Memorial Award - 2007

Neil deGrasse Tyson biography timelines

  • // 5th Oct 1958
    He was born on 5 October 1958, in Manhattan, as one of the three children of Cyril deGrasse Tyson, an African American, and Sunchita Marie Tyson, who was of Puerto Rican origins. His father, a sociologist, was the first Director of Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited, while his mother was a gerontologist.
  • // 1976
    He attended several public schools in New York City before enrolling at the Bronx High School of Science. He was an athletic youngster who captained the wrestling team. An intelligent and curious boy, he was deeply fascinated by astronomy and was the editor-in-chief of the school’s ‘Physical Science Journal’. He graduated in 1976.
  • // 1980
    His interest in astronomy turned to obsession and he studied all that he could on the subject. He went to Harvard University from where he earned a bachelor's degree in Physics in 1980. While at college he continued to pursue his interest in wrestling and was also a talented dancer.
  • // 1983
    He moved on to the University of Texas at Austin for his graduate work and received a Master of Arts in astronomy in 1983.
  • // 1986 To 1991
    He was appointed as a lecturer in astronomy at the University of Maryland in 1986. He remained there only till 1987 and was accepted into Columbia University the next year. After two years of rigorous research he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in astrophysics in 1991.
  • // 1988
    He met Alice Young in a physics class at the University of Texas. They got married in 1988 and were blessed with two children.
  • // 1995
    He also began writing in the 1990s. He started writing the column, ‘Universe’ for the ‘Natural History’ magazine in 1995 which went on to become very popular. The magazine released a special edition titled ‘City of Stars’ (2002), in which Tyson popularized the term "Manhattanhenge" which describes the two days in a year on which the evening sun aligns with the street grid in Manhattan.
  • // 2000
    This popular astrophysicist was named the ‘Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive’ by ‘People Magazine’ in 2000.
  • // 2001
    The US President George Bush appointed Tyson as a member of the 12-member commission to study the Future of the US Aerospace Industry in 2001. Working along with the other members, he played a key role in the publication of the final report in 2002 which contained recommendations for the government on optimizing the future of space exploration and national security.
  • // 2004
    President Bush once again appointed him in 2004 to serve on a 9-member commission to the Implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy. A couple of years later he was appointed by the head of NASA to serve on its Advisory Council.
  • // 2004
    In 2004, he hosted the four-part miniseries ‘Origins’ of the PBS ‘Nova’ series. Along with Donald Goldsmith he co-authored ‘Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution’ as a companion book for the series.
  • // 2004
    In 2004, he received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by NASA.
  • // Nov 2006
    He was a speaker at the ‘Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival’ symposium in November 2006. He became a regular on the series ‘The Universe’, broadcast on ‘The History Chanel’.
  • // 2009
    In 2009, he again collaborated with Donald Goldsmith as the narrator on the documentary ‘400 Years of the Telescope’ which premiered on PBS.
  • // 2009
    In 2009, he was presented with the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award from the Space Foundation for significant contributions to public awareness of space programs. The same year he also received Isaac Asimov Award from the American Humanist Association.

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Neil deGrasse Tyson's FAQ

  • What is Neil deGrasse Tyson birthday?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson was born at 1958-10-05

  • Where is Neil deGrasse Tyson's birth place?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson was born in Manhattan

  • What is Neil deGrasse Tyson nationalities?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson's nationalities is American

  • Who is Neil deGrasse Tyson spouses?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson's spouses is Alice Young

  • Who is Neil deGrasse Tyson childrens?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson's childrens is Miranda Tyson, Travis Tyson

  • What was Neil deGrasse Tyson universities?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson studied at Columbia University,Harvard University,University Of Texas, 1991-05 - Columbia University, 1980-06 - Harvard University, 1983-05 - University of Texas at Austin, 1976-06 - The Bronx High School of Science, 1989-05 - Columbia University

  • What was Neil deGrasse Tyson notable alumnis?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson's notable alumnis is Columbia University, Harvard University, University Of Texas

  • How tall is Neil deGrasse Tyson?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson's height is 188

  • Who is Neil deGrasse Tyson's father?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson's father is Cyril deGrasse Tyson

  • Who is Neil deGrasse Tyson's mother?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson's mother is Sunchita Feliciano Tyson

  • What is Neil deGrasse Tyson's sun sign?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson is Libra

  • How famous is Neil deGrasse Tyson?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson is famouse as Astrophysicist