Neil deGrasse Tyson
Author of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
About the Author
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson was born in New York City on October 5, 1958. Interested in astronomy since he was a child, Tyson gave lectures on the topic at the age of 15. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and was the editor-in-chief for its Physical Science Journal. After earning show more a B.A. in Physics from Harvard in 1980, Tyson received an M.A. in Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1983. He earned his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Columbia in 1991. Since 1996, Tyson has held the position of Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at Manhattan's American Museum of Natural History. In 2001, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry. In 2004, Tyson joined the President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy. He has hosted PBS's television show NOVA scienceNOW since 2006. Tyson can also be seen frequently as a guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Tyson has written many popular books on astronomy, and he began his "Universe" column for Natural History magazine in 1995. In 2009, he published the bestselling book The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet to describe the controversy over Pluto's demotion to dwarf planet. His other books include Accessory to War: The Unspoken alliance between astrophysics and the military. Tyson was recognized in 2004 with the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, and Time named him one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2007. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson at the November 29, 2005 meeting of the NASA Advisory Council, in Washington, D.C. Photo by NASA
Works by Neil deGrasse Tyson
StarTalk: Everything You Ever Need to Know About Space Travel, Sci-Fi, the Human Race, the Universe, and Beyond (2016) 248 copies
Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going (2021) 219 copies
Just Visiting This Planet: Merlin Answers More Questions about Everything under the Sun, Moon, and Stars (1998) 45 copies
Universe: On Being Round 1 copy
Tide and Time 1 copy
Universe: On Being Dense 1 copy
Universe: Onward to the Edge 1 copy
Universe: Antimatter Matters 1 copy
Universe: Ends of the World 1 copy
Universe: Outward Bound 1 copy
Universe: Darkness Visible 1 copy
The Milky Way Bar 1 copy
Universe: Star Magic 1 copy
MENSAGEIRO DAS ESTRELAS 1 copy
My Favourite Universe 1 copy
Universe: Galactic Engines 1 copy
Associated Works
Cosmos: The Story of Cosmic Evolution, Science and Civilisation (1980) — Foreword, some editions — 8,374 copies
Know the Past, Find the Future: The New York Public Library at 100 (2011) — Contributor — 117 copies
Where Did Pluto Go?: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding the "New" Solar System Foreword by Neil DeGrasse Tyson… (2009) — Foreword — 27 copies
NOVA: Origins: fourteen billion years of cosmic evolution [2004 TV series] (2004) — Narrator — 12 copies
Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?: Season 1 4 copies
NOVA: Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster [2008 TV episode] — Narrator — 1 copy
How Smart Are Animals? [2011 TV episode] — Narrator — 1 copy
Scrat: Spaced Out [2016 short film] — Narrator — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Tyson, Neil deGrasse
- Other names
- Tyson, Neil
- Birthdate
- 1958-10-05
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- New York, New York, USA (Manhattan)
- Places of residence
- New York City, New York, USA
Manhattan, New York, USA
Bronx, New York, USA
Currier House, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - Education
- Columbia University (M.Phil|1989|Ph.D|1991(
University of Texas at Austin (MA|1983)
Harvard University (BA|1980)
Bronx High School of Science (1976) - Occupations
- astrophysicist
television host
planetarium director
research associate
professor
radio host - Relationships
- Degrasse Tyson, Cyril (father)
- Organizations
- Planetary Society
New York Academy of Sciences
American Astronomical Society
American Physical Society
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
International Planetarium Society (show all 13)
National Society of Black Physicists
PBS
Hayden Planetarium
Rose Center for Earth and Space
American Museum of Natural History
Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry
President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy - Awards and honors
- People Magazine's "Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive" (2000)
Asteroid Namesake "1312 Tyson" (2001)
Columbia University's Medal of Excellence (2001)
NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal (2004)
Klopsteg Memorial Award (2007)
Time's "100 Most Influential People of 2007" (show all 11)
Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award (2009)
Discover Magazine's "50 Best Brains in Science" (2008)
Isaac Asimov Award (2009)
Honorary Doctorate (x18)
Carl Sandburg Literary Award (2018)
Members
Discussions
Cosmos and Giordano Bruno in Let's Talk Religion (April 2014)
Reviews
A bit dated, and in the audiobook edition a bit pompous too in its jokes rendition, but as a general public member I learned a lot about the way electromagnetic radiation changes and interacts in its voyage through the universe.
I truly enjoyed this book. It is one I will keep on my bookshelf and refer back to often, I am sure. Mr. Tyson has a distinct point of view and is able to intelligently defend it. He stresses the importance of scientific literacy in our society, which is woefully lacking in our country. While I do not agree with everything he writes about as far as religion and faith, I respect him immensely. Some of my favorite quotes in the book:
"..In life, it's not good enough to be right. You must also be effective."
"'extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence' remains a potent guide when investigating the natural world. But it comes with a recurring risk: knowing enough about a subject to think you are right, but not enough to know you are wrong."
"the most important moments in life occur at times when how we think will matter more than what we know."
"purpose is not defined outside ourselves, but from deep within. My purpose in life is to lessen the suffering of others; advance our understanding of the universe; and enlighten others along the way."
Dr. deGrasse has done a great job, through his academic career and his many modes of communication, to realize his purpose! Keep rockin' it, Dr. deGrasse!!
… (more)
"..In life, it's not good enough to be right. You must also be effective."
"'extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence' remains a potent guide when investigating the natural world. But it comes with a recurring risk: knowing enough about a subject to think you are right, but not enough to know you are wrong."
"the most important moments in life occur at times when how we think will matter more than what we know."
"purpose is not defined outside ourselves, but from deep within. My purpose in life is to lessen the suffering of others; advance our understanding of the universe; and enlighten others along the way."
Dr. deGrasse has done a great job, through his academic career and his many modes of communication, to realize his purpose! Keep rockin' it, Dr. deGrasse!!
… (more)
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 71
- Also by
- 15
- Members
- 11,896
- Popularity
- #1,977
- Rating
- 4.1
- Reviews
- 363
- ISBNs
- 269
- Languages
- 21
- Favorited
- 23
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
In a nutshell (or a distant galaxy, far, far, away) Cosmic Queries attempts to explain the origins of the Universe and where we are headed, to those of us who do not have a PhD in Physics or Astronomy. Although the audio version is fine, I'd suggest also reading the book, otherwise you'll be missing out on a lot of cool photos.