Noted Black Astrophysicist Cites Importance Of Space Exploration During White House Program

Jet, July 10, 2000

Citing the technological advances which have enabled mankind to explore our universe and gain insight to the future of our planet, Dr. Neil de Grasse Tyson, the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, was a featured speaker at the recent White House Millennium Matinee "Exploration Under the Sea-Beyond The Stars."

Addressing scores of local students and other scientific experts in the White House East Room, Dr. Tyson revealed that earth-based and space-based telescopes, in addition to advancements in robots used for space exploration, may some day enable scientists to prevent the Earth's suffering the same fate as its neighboring planets that could have sustained life.

"How do we prevent our cherished world from becoming another casualty in the solar system?" he asked. "By combining cosmic discovery with the Earth Sciences, our insights may offer us more than just fulfillment of our idle curiosities. Our insights may enable us to save ourselves."

Millennium Evenings at the White House is a series of lectures and cultural programs hosted by the president and first lady that highlight American creativity and inventiveness through ideas, art and science.

Dr. Tyson has authored books and numerous scholarly articles in his areas of research-exploding stars and the evolution of the Milky Way, and serves as visiting professor of astrophysics at Princeton University.