Who Is Neil deGrasse Tyson?

Written by Pam Pollack Meg Belviso , and Who HQ · Illustrated by Manuel Gutierrez

Part of the Who Was . . . ? series

A young boy's visit to a planetarium sparks a journey to become a renowned astrophysicist.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 169 ratings

112 pages· 7,878 words· Est. 1 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

At nine, a visit to the Hayden Planetarium ignites Neil deGrasse Tyson's passion for the cosmos. From a curious child to a groundbreaking astrophysicist, Neil's journey is one of discovery and breaking barriers. As he navigates academia and the universe, he becomes a celebrated figure, inspiring millions through his work and media presence. How did a single visit shape his destiny, and what challenges did he overcome to become a leading voice in science? Explore the life of a man who turned his childhood wonder into a lifelong mission to unveil the mysteries of the stars.

From the publisher

Discover how Neil deGrasse Tyson became one of the world’s most successful and well-known scientists in this new addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series. When he was nine years old, Neil deGrasse Tyson went on a trip that would change his life. While visiting the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, he discovered the world of astronomy and felt like the universe was calling to him. He answered that call by diving deep into astronomy courses. After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science, he went on to earn a doctorate in astrophysics and eventually found his way back to the Hayden Planetarium as a staff scientist and, later, as its director. Neil has not only found an exciting way to share his love and knowledge of space through his documentaries and podcasts, he’s also broken barriers for Black scientists and become one of the most famous astrophysicists ever. He is a published author, television host, and winner of the prestigious Public Welfare Medal for the role he has played in exciting the public about the wonders of science.

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