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, science communicator, and author. He holds degrees from Harvard, University of Texas at Austin, and Columbia. After a postdoctoral position at Princeton, he joined the Hayden Planetarium in 1994 and Princeton's faculty. In 1996, he became the director of the Hayden Planetarium, overseeing its major reconstruction completed in 2000. Since 1996, he has served as the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. In 1997 he founded the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History, where he has been a research associate since 2003.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1927: Birth of Cyril deGrasse Tyson

In 1927, Cyril deGrasse Tyson, Neil's father, was born.

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1928: Birth of Sunchita Maria Tyson

In 1928, Sunchita Maria Tyson, Neil's mother, was born.

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October 5, 1958: Neil deGrasse Tyson Born

On October 5, 1958, Neil deGrasse Tyson was born in New York City. He later became a prominent astrophysicist, author, and science communicator.

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June 1973: Solar Eclipse Viewing

In June 1973, at age 14, Neil deGrasse Tyson received a scholarship from the Explorers Club of New York to view the total solar eclipse aboard the SS Canberra alongside scientists like Neil Armstrong and Isaac Asimov.

1975: Visit with Carl Sagan

In 1975, Carl Sagan invited the 17-year-old Neil deGrasse Tyson to spend a day in Ithaca, solidifying Tyson's desire to become a scientist.

1976: Graduation 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: Graduation from Harvard

In 1980, Neil deGrasse Tyson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics at Harvard College.

1983: Master's Degree in Astronomy

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

In 1986, Neil deGrasse Tyson became a lecturer in astronomy at the University of Maryland.

1987: End of Lectureship at University of Maryland

In 1987, Neil deGrasse Tyson's lectureship in astronomy at the University of Maryland came to an end.

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. They later named their first child Miranda.

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 from Columbia University.

1991: Postdoctoral Research at Princeton

In 1991, Neil deGrasse Tyson became a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University.

1991: PhD in Astrophysics

In 1991, Neil deGrasse Tyson earned a PhD degree in astrophysics from Columbia University.

1993: Decision to Decline Interviews Focused on Race

Since 1993, Neil deGrasse Tyson has declined every interview that has his being Black as a premise of the interview. He made this decision to ensure that his work in astrophysics remains the focus.

1994: Joins Hayden Planetarium and Princeton Faculty

In 1994, Neil deGrasse Tyson joined the Hayden Planetarium as a staff scientist and the Princeton faculty as a visiting research scientist and lecturer.

May 2000: Wine Collection Featured in Wine Spectator

In May 2000, Neil deGrasse Tyson's wine collection was featured in the Wine Spectator magazine.

September 11, 2001: Eyewitness to September 11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, Neil deGrasse Tyson, who lived near the World Trade Center, was an eyewitness to the September 11 attacks. He wrote a widely circulated letter about what he saw.

2005: Remarks on Genetic Differences

In 2005, Neil deGrasse Tyson participated in a panel where he discussed the challenges faced by minorities and women in science. He emphasized that societal barriers must be addressed before considering genetic differences as a factor.

2005: Wine Collection Featured in The World of Fine Wine

In 2005, Neil deGrasse Tyson's wine collection was featured in The World of Fine Wine magazine.

2005: Response to Question About Genetic Differences

In 2005, at a conference at the National Academy of Sciences, Neil deGrasse Tyson responded to a question about whether genetic differences might keep women from working as scientists. He emphasized the importance of equal opportunity before considering any discussion about genetic differences, citing his own experiences with societal forces as a Black man in science.

2006: Views on Science, Spirituality, and the Spirituality of Science

In 2006, Neil deGrasse Tyson expressed his views on science and spirituality, including defining spirituality as a feeling connecting one to the universe beyond simple vocabulary. He also argued that some great historical scientists' belief in intelligent design limited their scientific inquiries.

2007: Appearance on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

In 2007, Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared on the NPR radio quiz program Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

2007: Keynote Speaker at Deerfield Academy Dedication Ceremony

In 2007, Neil deGrasse Tyson was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony of Deerfield Academy's new science center, the Koch Center in Massachusetts. He emphasized the impact of science on the twenty-first century and the value of investments in science.

2008: Inclusion in Documentary Film

In 2008, footage that Neil deGrasse Tyson filmed on September 11, 2001, was included in the documentary film 102 Minutes That Changed America.

2009: Conversation with Neil deGrasse Tyson

In 2009, during an interview, Neil deGrasse Tyson stated that he could not agree with atheists' claims that he was one of their community because he lacked the time, energy, and interest to conduct himself that way. He also clarified that he was not trying to convert people and didn't care about doing so.

March 2010: Advocacy for NASA Funding

In March 2010, Neil deGrasse Tyson addressed the issue of NASA funding, arguing that the agency is underfunded. He noted that the public often overestimates the amount of tax revenue allocated to NASA, clarifying that it is only half a penny on the dollar.

May 2011: Donation of Guest Speaker Income

In May 2011, on a StarTalk Radio show, Neil deGrasse Tyson stated that he donates all income earned as a guest speaker. He also frequently participates in Reddit's AMAs.

March 2012: Testimony Before the United States Senate Science Committee

In March 2012, Neil deGrasse Tyson testified before the United States Senate Science Committee.

November 7, 2012: Action Comics #14 Published

On November 7, 2012, Action Comics #14, featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson, was published. In the story, Tyson determines that Superman's home planet, Krypton, orbited the red dwarf LHS 2520 in the constellation Corvus.

2012: Founding of Penny4NASA Campaign

In 2012, inspired by Neil deGrasse Tyson's advocacy for NASA, John Zeller founded Penny4NASA, a campaign of the Space Advocates nonprofit. The campaign advocates doubling NASA's budget to one percent of the federal budget.

January 2013: Appearance in Action Comics #14

In January 2013, Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared in Action Comics #14, where he determined that Superman's home planet, Krypton, orbited the red dwarf LHS 2520 in the constellation Corvus.

May 2013: Possible Nominee for Science Laureate

In May 2013, with the introduction of the Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2013 into Congress, Neil deGrasse Tyson was mentioned as a possible nominee for the position of Science Laureate.

March 8, 2014: SXSW Interactive Keynote Presentation

On March 8, 2014, Neil deGrasse Tyson made a SXSW Interactive keynote presentation at the Austin Convention Center.

March 2014: Comments on Philosophy

In March 2014, Neil deGrasse Tyson commented on philosophy during an episode of The Nerdist Podcast, calling it "useless" and stating that a philosophy major could "really mess you up". This statement was met with disapproval and later criticized by philosopher Massimo Pigliucci.

March 2014: Views on God and Atheism

In March 2014, Neil deGrasse Tyson discussed his views on God and atheism. He stated he remained unconvinced by any claims about the existence of a divine force in the universe. He also reiterated his dislike for one-word labels like "atheist", preferring adjectives to describe the type of atheist one is.

June 3, 2014: Co-Review of Gravity in CinemaSins Episode

On June 3, 2014, Neil deGrasse Tyson co-reviewed the movie Gravity in a CinemaSins episode.

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2014: Clarification on Genetic Differences and Social Barriers

In a 2014 interview with Grantland, Neil deGrasse Tyson clarified his remarks from a 2005 panel about genetic differences and social barriers. He stated that the scientific question about genetic differences cannot be answered until social barriers are dismantled and equal opportunity is ensured.

September 29, 2015: Co-Review of Interstellar on CinemaSins

On September 29, 2015, Neil deGrasse Tyson co-reviewed the movie Interstellar on CinemaSins.

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2015: Appearance on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

In 2015, Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared on the NPR radio quiz program Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

March 31, 2016: Co-Review of The Martian on CinemaSins

On March 31, 2016, Neil deGrasse Tyson co-reviewed the movie The Martian on CinemaSins.

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2016: Death of Cyril deGrasse Tyson

In 2016, Cyril deGrasse Tyson, Neil deGrasse Tyson's father, passed away.

2016: Minor Appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

In 2016, Neil deGrasse Tyson had a minor appearance as himself in the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

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2016: Narration and Script Supervision for Food Evolution

In 2016, Neil deGrasse Tyson narrated and was a script supervisor for the science documentary Food Evolution. He also made a guest appearance on the Avenged Sevenfold album The Stage, delivering a monologue on the track "Exist".

2017: Guest Appearances on Albums

In 2017, Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared on Logic's album Everybody as God and on Musiq Soulchild's album Feel the Real. Specifically, he was credited on the song "AfricAryaN" on Logic's album and on "The Moon" on Musiq Soulchild's album.

2018: Guest Appearances on Television

In 2018, Neil deGrasse Tyson made a second guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory with Bill Nye and had guest appearances in other shows, including Gravity Falls, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Simpsons.

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