Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson is the rockstar of science (especially astrophysics). He is also an astrophysicist, science educator, narrator, radio show host, writer and much more. Almost every science loving and updated human or earth knows his name for some of his extraordinary books & shows (both TV and radio). He is also the man behind the demotion of the Planet Pluto as dwarf Plane. Neil hosted the famous TV show NOVA Science Now and Cosmos. He is also a Twitter celebrity. Neil’s Twitter account have almost 6 million followers.

Neil was born on October 5, 1958, in Manhattan, New York. He is the second child of Cyril deGrasse Tyson and Sunchita Maria. As the son of an African-American father, Neil’s life was hard. They lived in the Bronx back then. At the age of 9, Neil deGrasse Tyson first visited the sky theater of the Hayden Planetarium. It was a turning moment in his life. The amazing show about the night sky and our cosmos changed his life forever. Just after the show ended, he made up his mind that he will be an Astrophysicist. His exact words were, ” the universe called me”. After that, he prepared himself for his goal. Then he joined the astronomy classes at the planetarium.

Tyson joined Harvard College. He collected his AB degree in physics in 1980. Though he was offered to study at the Cornell University by famous astronomer Carl Sagan. And Carl Sagan is one of his role models. He was also influenced by Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Richard Feynman. He refused the offer for better study in the Harvard College. After that, he worked at the University of Maryland for some time.  Then he completed his MPhil in astrophysics in 1989. He also earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics. Then Neil did many works with various universities and also at NASA.

In August 2006 the last planet of our solar system faced a critical situation. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) declared Pluto as a dwarf planet. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a member of this Union. When he exposed the news to the world, many people started to boo him. Many children even wrote him letters requesting to bring Pluto back.

Tyson then focused his work for the science education for regular people. He started to host a radio show named StarTalk. In that show, he interviews a celebrity and discuss some science facts. And he would explain every astounding science fact in plain simple language. Then he started to host famous TV show NOVA Science Now.

He also gives lectures at various universities. His main focus is to encourage the young people more to study science. Neil always tries to explain hard science fact with daily natural facts and humor. He became more famous after the remake of the famous TV series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage in 2014. The original series was made by famous astronomer Carl Sagan in 1980. As the student of Carl Sagan, Neil continued his legacy. The show Cosmos won many awards.

Neil deGrasse Tyson has won many award and honors for being a public educator. He personally calls himself “The people’s Astrophysicist”. Tyson was also a bodybuilder and boxer at his young age. Neil even won the Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive award from People Magazine in 2000.

Neil got married to Alice Young in 1988. Now He lives in New York with his wife and two children.