neil degrasse tyson

Only ‘Stupid Aliens’ Would Build Flying Saucers That Spin

A mainstay of classic science fiction is the flying saucer, the universal icon for extraterrestrial alien space vehicles. The problem is, no species capable of constructing ships to traverse the stars would ever go with a saucer design that involved spinning, as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains here.


Three Of This Generation’s Iconic Scientists Horsing Around Like Kids

Brian Green (author of The Elegant Universe) just posted this photo on his Facebook wall. There’s probably some context that would make this make sense, but really, just seeing three of our generation’s most iconic scientists screwing around like kids is enough to put a big fat grin on your face.


Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Thor’s Hammer As Heavy As Three Billion Elephants

Neil deGrasse Tyson just took the mystery out of a cosmic mystery in comics, and somehow made it even cooler. How much does Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor and forged from a collapsing star, actually weigh? Turns out, stars weigh a lot.


Wil Wheaton And Neil DeGrasse Tyson Chat About The Science Of Star Trek

With the JJ Abrams reboot of the Star Trek franchise in 2009 — and a new film already set for release next year — the chances of seeing a new TV show or movie set in the “Prime” reality, as it’s called, are remote. So, if you’ve been gagging for any sort of recent exposure to the older Trek, this live show discussing the science of the series, featuring astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Wil Wheaton, might help fill the void.


5 Amazing Real-Life Facts About Superman

You’ve probably heard that Neil deGrasse Tyson will be making an appearance in an upcoming issue of the Superman comics. But earlier today he showed up on NPR’s Morning Edition to explain the juicy science behind the cameo, and drop some knowledge about the Man of Steel. Here are five real-life Superman facts he shared.


No, The World Isn’t Going To End On December 21

Astrophysicist and scientific rock-star Neil deGrasse Tyson probably knows more about the universe than you know about anything. He’s a smart dude, and now he’s taking on idiots who think the world is going to end on December 21, 2012.


How Realistic Are All Of James Bond’s Weapons And Gadgets?

When I was a wee pup, my favourite thing about James Bond movies were the scenes with Q. Back then, getting a peek behind the laboratory of insane gadgets and wild weapons was just as cool as killing bad guys in a tuxedo and sleeping with women without one. But how real were those movie-world gadgets? Giz favourite Neil deGrasse Tyson analysed and fact checked Bond weapons to see which were scientifically viable.


Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Columbus Landing In America Was The Most Important Event In History

Christopher Columbus is a polarising figure in American history. He was a hero! He was a villain! But what if we look past the immediate consequences and look at his broader, unintended impacted on the human species as a whole?


Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Why Original Star Trek’s Enterprise Is The Best Starship

Acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson was in attendance at the most recent Starship Smackdown — an anual end-of-Comic-Con tradition wherein a posse of high-profile in-the-know space nerds debate one another of the best starship of all time.


Neil DeGrasse Tyson Calls Out Prometheus For Its Sketchy Science

Most science fiction fans are happy to shrug off technical inaccuracies while enjoying a movie. But not if you’re the director of the Hayden Planetarium and a world-renowned astrophysicist. Which is why Neil DeGrasse Tyson couldn’t help but question one of Prometheus’ technical gaffes.