Astrophysicist Tyson to speak at KSU event

Staff report

Kent

Neil deGrasse Tyson, astro- physicist and the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, will speak at the third Kent State University Presidential Speaker Series at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 in the Kent Student Center Ballroom.

This ticketed event is free. For general-admission tickets, visit http://kentstate.universitytickets.com. Tyson’s appearance is sponsored by Kent State’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs.

“It’s great that we’re bringing Neil deGrasse Tyson to Kent State,” said Kent State President Lester A. Lefton. “He is such a brilliant scientist who makes science exciting, interesting and fun. I know our students, employees and the public will enjoy his presentation.”

Tyson’s professional research interests are broad, but include star formation, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies and the structure of our Milky Way.

In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Tyson to serve on a 12-member commission that studied the future of the U.S. aerospace industry. In 2004, Tyson was again appointed by President Bush to serve on a nine-member commission on the implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy, dubbed the Moon, Mars and Beyond commission.

In addition to dozens of professional publications, Tyson has written, and continues to write for the public. From 1995 to 2005, Tyson was a monthly essayist for Natural History magazine under the title “Universe.” Among Tyson’s 10 books is his memoir, “The Sky is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist,” and “Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution,” co-written with Donald Goldsmith. “Origins” is the companion book to the PBS/NOVA four-part miniseries “Origins,” in which Tyson served as host. The program premiered Sept. 28 and 29, 2004.

For five seasons, beginning in the fall of 2006, Tyson appeared as the on-camera host of PBS/NOVA’s spinoff program “NOVA ScienceNOW.”

Tyson is the recipient of 18 honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest award given by NASA to a nongovernment citizen. His contributions to the public appreciation of the cosmos have been recognized by the International Astronomical Union in its official naming of asteroid 13123 Tyson.

In February 2012, Tyson released his 10th book, “Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier.” He is working on a 21st-century reboot of Carl Sagan’s landmark TV series “Cosmos” to air in 13 episodes on Fox network in 2014.