Ask Neil deGrasse Tyson

If space is expanding and the matter that we see is mostly empty space why is the observation that galaxies are moving away from each other an indication that space is expanding? Wouldn't galaxies and the matter they're made of expand at the same rate as the space surrounding them and hence appear in the same relative locations? Or does the space inside atoms expand at a slower rate (if at all)?

Dear Dr. Tyson,

What do you think this country should be doing about the fact that our kids lag woefully far behind the kids in other countries in the areas of physics and mathematics? And remind us why we should take this seriously.

Sincerely,
Francis Harrington

Do you believe in aliens?

When you are asked (very often by the way) to comment about events that can cause the end of our world you act very cool and even tell jokes. Does the knowledge of how fragile our planet is, wakes you up in the night?

Quantum Physics & New Age Ideas

The Secret, and "What the Bleep Do We Know," and other New Age claims that rest on Quantum theory drive me crazy, because they take a few tentative possibilities and blow them up into an entire physics/metaphysics.

Let me know if I have this right. Quantum physics is fundamentally math-based. After all the crazy math, the physicists try to extrapolate the concepts - none of which are very clear, and none of which should be taken too seriously. Some astute physicist said that no one really understands quantum physics. So no one, especially non-physicists, should try to use quantum physics in a conceptual framework.

Am I about correct in this thinking?

Keep up the wonderful work,

Michael L. Muslin

How did you decide to become a scientist, and what is your favorite part of the work you do?

You have appeared on the Colbert Report a few times ("Friend of the Show"), and do a great job countering his characterization of the anti-science fear among certain people. How much of that is scripted and how much of that is you taking a chance of the news getting buried in the humor, or even misrepresented?

Given that many of the most cutting-edge theories of modern physics and cosmology are based on inherently untestable premises, like Quantum Loop Gravity, do you think this undercuts or compromises the position of scientists to criticize unscientific (i.e., faith-based) views of reality? In other words, why is it okay to accept something like an extradimensional source of gravity on a "that looks good" basis but not the existence of God?

How do you view the current widening gap between religion and science? In other words as a scientist, do you feel the need for them to be be mutually exclusive or can the support one another?

The Martian atmosphere was blown away by the Solar Winds
because Mars lost its magnetic field. If this is so, how could Mars
ever possibly have a new atmosphere created via artificial means?

Do you believe in god?

What is the most astounding fact you can share with us about the universe.

If we can't see any furthur off into the universe than 46 Billion light years, due to the cosmic background radiation preventing seeing any furthur, where do our estimates of the size of the universe come from?

Under Bush, park rangers at the Grand Canyon are not allowed to tell people how old the Grand Canyon is; the true figure conflicts with fundamentalist beliefs. Has the Republican war on science affected your work in astrophysics?

Hi Neil!
What's your favorite star?

What will intelligent life on another planet look like?

Mr. Tyson
How are you able to keep your ego, because of your importance in our scientific community, in check; I guess I mean you've managed to go through your life doing great things, inspiring people young and old but you are still accessible to your fans. I wrote you a fan email one day last year and the very next day you RESPONDED! With kindness, humility and humor. Most well known important men and women wouldn't have bothered. I'll never forget your attention to me. One day when i'm able ( i'm partially disabled) I hope to make it to NYC and hopefully get to shake your hand.
Lynette Hills

Is all that exist in our universe and beyond on the most fundamental level one?

Does working at a museum afford you as much opportunity for discovery and research as it does astrophysicists who work for large universities?

Which area of astrophysics interests you the most?

What is the one thing you would like to see if you could return in one hundred years?

The scientists over at CERN have spent a large part of their lives and many billions of dollars to put together a particle collider in hopes of us (humanity) finding out some major truths about our very peculiar universe

Do you believe that any of the results of the particle colliders first set of tests will bring with it the sort of revelation that could drastically affect humankind?

Carl Sagan in his book and PBS series, "Cosmos" , convinced me of the existence of life elsewhere in the universe, among the planets circling the "biliions and billions of stars".... Are you convinced of this as well? If so, what convinced you and when was that? Do you have any thoughts you'd be willing to share as to your beliefs concerning whether or not earth may have been 'visited' by life forms from elsewhere; whether microbes traveling on meteors and helping to "jumpstart" life here or intelligent forms of life purposely coming here at anytime since then...?

How many (or about what percent) of the stars we can see on a clear night are no longer there?

A question in two parts:

Are wormholes scientifically plausible?

and if so:

Is it believed that "naturally occurring" wormholes could exist or would they need to be created by "artificial' means?

Many thanks.

What does one have study to become an astrophysicist? What are the job prospects for astrophysicists in the near future?