Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, author, and science communicator, born and raised in New York City. A graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, he earned a BA in Physics from Harvard and a PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia. He is the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History and a research associate in the Museum’s Department of Astrophysics.
Tyson has served in multiple advisory roles for the U.S. government. Appointed by President George W. Bush, he served on the 2001 Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry and the 2004 “Moon, Mars, and Beyond” Commission. In 2006, he joined NASA’s Advisory Council.
An accomplished writer, Tyson has authored numerous bestsellers including Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, The Pluto Files, Letters from an Astrophysicist, and Starry Messenger. He co-authored Origins, the companion book to the PBS NOVA series, and Accessory to War, exploring the relationship between astrophysics and the military. His most recent books include To Infinity and Beyond and Merlin’s Tour of the Universe, coauthored with Lindsey Nyx Walker and illustrated by his brother, Stephen J. Tyson.
Tyson has brought science to broad audiences through television and radio. He hosted PBS’s NOVA ScienceNOW and served as Executive Science Editor and host for Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey and Cosmos: Possible Worlds, reaching viewers in over 180 countries. He also created StarTalk, a popular science podcast and television series blending science with pop culture, which was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards.
He has received 27 honorary doctorates, the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, and has an asteroid—13123 Tyson—and a species of Indian leaping frog named in his honor. In 2000, People magazine named him “Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson continues to inspire curiosity and wonder about the cosmos through his writing, public appearances, and tireless efforts to make science accessible to all. He lives in New York City with his wife.
Venue Information
Ovens Auditorium
Historic Ovens Auditorium, located at 2700 East Independence Blvd, is Charlotte’s largest performing arts theater, seating more than 2,400. It has hosted some of Blumenthal’s largest Broadway blockbusters, including multiple engagements of WICKED, and popular concerts like the Beach Boys. The theater is managed by Charlotte’s Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA).
Ovens serves a critical role for Charlotte theater and music fans because of the high usage rate of Blumenthal’s Belk Theater, which is the home hall for the PNC Broadway Lights Series and many of Charlotte’s largest cultural organizations, including the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Opera Carolina and Charlotte’s Ballet’s annual “Nutcracker.” Many nationally touring shows brought to Charlotte by Blumenthal would not be possible without having access to Ovens because the required dates are not available in Belk Theater. Ovens larger size also ensures that fan access to tickets is maximized.
