Accepted into the Astronomy Graduate Program at Columbia University

In 1988, Neil deGrasse Tyson was accepted into the prestigious astronomy graduate program at Columbia University, marking a significant milestone in his academic journey. He earned his Master of Philosophy degree in astrophysics in 1989, followed by a PhD in astrophysics in 1991. Under the mentorship of Professor R. Michael Rich, Tyson's doctoral research was supported by funding from NASA and the ARCS Foundation. This financial backing not only facilitated his research but also allowed him to attend international conferences in Italy, Switzerland, Chile, and South Africa, where he could engage with the global scientific community. Additionally, the funding enabled him to hire students to assist with data reduction, further enriching his research experience. Tyson's time at Columbia University laid the foundation for his future contributions to astrophysics and science communication, establishing him as a prominent figure in the field. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #NeilDegrasseTyson #ColumbiaUniversity #Astrophysics #GraduateProgram #R.MichaelRich