Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson coming to Columbus in October
Astrophysicist and bestselling author Neil deGrasse Tyson, referred to by USA Today as a "rock star scientist," will take the stage at Mershon Auditorium on Oct. 17 to give a talk about “The Search for Life in the Universe."
Tickets for Tyson's appearance go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com. Various presales will be held, including presales for a VIP post-show Q&A, from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Thursday.
A graduate of The Bronx High School of Science, Harvard and Columbia, Tyson is a familiar face both in the science community and the general public. He hosted the PBS show "Nova ScienceNow" for five seasons, as well as the four-part "Origins" miniseries of the PBS "Nova" series.
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Tyson also tapped stand-up comedians to assist him in bringing science to commercial radio with "StarTalk" — now also a popular podcast — aimed at those who never though they would or could enjoy science. Guests range from science colleagues to celebrities such as Wil Wheaton, Sarah Silverman and Bill Maher.
In addition to his memoir, "The Sky is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist," Tyson has authored more than a dozen other books and wriiten and broadcast extensively about his views of science, spirituality and the spirituality of science.
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His contributions to the general public's appreciation of science have been recognized by the International Astronomical Union with the naming of asteroid “13123 Tyson.” And by zoologists, with the naming of Indirani Tysoni, a native species of leaping frog in India also known as "Tyson's frog."
The 65-year-old Tyson holds 23 honorary doctorate degrees and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson speaking at Mershon Auditorium Oct. 17
