<b>Stellar Speaker: Hayden Planetarium's Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson Visits Millbrook</b>

One of Millbrook's oldest traditions is gathering the student body and faculty at all school forums with presenters who speak about relevant, interesting, and sometimes even controversial subjects. Recent presenters have included: Rufus Wainwright 91' (musician), Michael Fowlin (diversity speaker), Taylor Mali (poet), Wade Davis (bio-anthropologist), Billy Collins (US poet laureate), James Guerney (author/illustrator, Dinotopia), and Michael Moschen (world famous juggler). We are currently looking forward with great anticipation to an upcoming forum with astrophysicist and Director of the Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, to be held in the Chelsea Morrison Theater on Friday, January 18th. With degrees from Harvard, the University of Texas, and Columbia University, his credentials are impressive. But even more impressive is his desire to share his knowledge with school-aged children and adults while encouraging them to reach for the stars.

In his role as Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, one of Dr. Tyson's favorite responsibilities is signing the completion certificates for children and adults who have taken classes at the planetarium. He is passionate about science, and finds it "a real honor and privilege and duty to serve others in their ambition to become scientists." His interest in science began at a very young age as he viewed the stars from his apartment rooftop in the Bronx. Encouraged by his parents, he read as many science books as they could provide, and eventually signed up for courses himself at the Hayden Planetarium. After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science, Tyson went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Physics from Harvard University, master's degree in Astronomy from the University of Texas, and PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia University.

Today, in addition to his leading role at the Hayden Planetarium, Dr. Tyson has written or co-written several books, hosts the mini-series "Origins" on PBS' NOVA, and speaks to students and other groups around the country. When he speaks at Millbrook, we are anticipate the discussion of some "hot" topics in astronomy and astrophysics: the recently confirmed age of the universe, dark matter and dark energy, and the importance of our solar system's moons.