Early Life and Education of Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Neil deGrasse Tyson. From birth to education, explore key events.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is a prominent American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. Educated at Harvard, University of Texas, and Columbia, he held a postdoctoral position at Princeton before joining the Hayden Planetarium in 1994. He became the planetarium's director in 1996, overseeing its extensive reconstruction completed in 2000. Simultaneously, he held a research scientist and lecturer position at Princeton. Since 1996, Tyson has remained the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City and founded the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
October 5, 1958: Neil deGrasse Tyson Born
On October 5, 1958, Neil deGrasse Tyson, an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator, was born.
June 1973: Scholarship to View Solar Eclipse
In June 1973, at the age of 14, Neil deGrasse Tyson received a scholarship from the Explorers Club of New York to view a total solar eclipse aboard the SS Canberra.
1975: Meets Carl Sagan
In 1975, Carl Sagan invited the 17-year-old Neil deGrasse Tyson to spend a day in Ithaca, influencing Tyson's aspirations as a scientist.
1976: Graduates from Bronx High School of Science
In 1976, Neil deGrasse Tyson graduated from The Bronx High School of Science, where he was captain of the wrestling team and editor-in-chief of the Physical Science Journal.
1980: Graduates from Harvard
In 1980, Neil deGrasse Tyson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics from Harvard College.
1983: Master of Arts Degree
In 1983, Neil deGrasse Tyson received a Master of Arts degree in astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin.
1986: Lecturer at University of Maryland
From 1986 to 1987, Neil deGrasse Tyson was a lecturer in astronomy at the University of Maryland.
1987: Lecturer at University of Maryland
From 1986 to 1987, Neil deGrasse Tyson was a lecturer in astronomy at the University of Maryland.
1988: Marriage to Alice Young
In 1988, Neil deGrasse Tyson married Alice Young, whom he met in a physics class at the University of Texas at Austin.
1988: Graduate Program at Columbia University
In 1988, Neil deGrasse Tyson was accepted into the astronomy graduate program at Columbia University.
1989: Master of Philosophy Degree
In 1989, Neil deGrasse Tyson earned a Master of Philosophy degree in astrophysics at Columbia University.
1991: Postdoctoral Research at Princeton
In 1991, Neil deGrasse Tyson became a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University, marking a significant step in his early career.
1991: PhD in Astrophysics
In 1991, Neil deGrasse Tyson earned a PhD degree in astrophysics from Columbia University.
1993: Declining Interviews Focused on Race
Since 1993, Neil deGrasse Tyson has declined interviews that primarily focus on his race, preferring to emphasize his work in astrophysics.
1994: Joins Hayden Planetarium and Princeton Faculty
In 1994, Neil deGrasse Tyson joined the Hayden Planetarium as a staff scientist and also became a visiting research scientist and lecturer at Princeton University.
May 2000: Wine Spectator Feature
In May 2000, Neil deGrasse Tyson's wine collection was featured in the Wine Spectator.
September 11, 2001: Eyewitness to 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, Neil deGrasse Tyson, living near the World Trade Center, witnessed the September 11 attacks and wrote a widely circulated letter about his experience.
2005: Wine collection
In 2005, Neil deGrasse Tyson's wine collection was featured in The World of Fine Wine.
2005: Panel about genetic differences
In 2005, Tyson participated in a panel where he expressed his view that addressing disparities in opportunities must precede any discussion about genetic differences affecting success in scientific fields.
2005: Remarks on Diversity in Science
In 2005, at a conference at the National Academy of Sciences, Neil deGrasse Tyson responded to a question about women in science by emphasizing that societal barriers prevent equal opportunity, particularly for women and Black people, in the sciences.
2009: Remarks on Atheism
In 2009, during an interview, Neil deGrasse Tyson stated that he does not identify as an atheist and is not interested in converting people to any particular belief. He clarified that he doesn't have the time, energy, or interest to conduct himself in that way.
May 2011: Donation of Guest Speaking Income
In a May 2011 StarTalk Radio show, Neil deGrasse Tyson mentioned that he donates all income earned as a guest speaker.
March 2014: Discussion on God and Atheism
In March 2014, during a discussion with philosopher Massimo Pigliucci, Neil deGrasse Tyson expressed that he remains unconvinced by claims about the existence or power of a divine force. He also reiterated his discomfort with labels, particularly "atheist," preferring adjectives to describe his stance, such as "I really don't care."
March 2014: Remarks on Philosophy
In March 2014, during an episode of The Nerdist Podcast, Neil deGrasse Tyson stated that philosophy is "useless" and that a philosophy major "can really mess you up", which was met with disapproval and later criticism from philosopher Massimo Pigliucci.
2014: Comments on genetics and opportunity
In 2014, Tyson discussed his 2005 panel comments, emphasizing the need to dismantle social barriers before addressing scientific questions about genetic differences. He also expressed that race is not central to his career message.
2016: Death of Cyril deGrasse Tyson
In 2016, Neil deGrasse Tyson's father, Cyril deGrasse Tyson, a sociologist and human resource commissioner, passed away.
2023: Death of Sunchita Maria Tyson
In 2023, Neil deGrasse Tyson's mother, Sunchita Maria Tyson, a gerontologist, passed away.
