Neil deGrasse Tyson muses on past, present, future of space

At the risk of severe understatement, space is an awfully big place. It can be easy for us here on Earth to feel dwarfed by the sheer cosmic enormity of it all.

But renowned astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson has a different perspective on the matter.

“When I think of how small we are in the universe, I also think of how connected we are in the universe,” Tyson told the Asbury Park Press’ Fan Theory podcast. “(I think of) how the same hydrogen atoms that are in stars across the galaxy are hydrogen atoms in our bodies — and (the same with) carbon and nitrogen and silicon.

“So, we have a certain connectivity to the cosmos that should cure any sense of insignificance. In fact, you should have a great sense of participation in this great, unfolding cosmic story.”

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A best-selling author, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and host of Fox’s Emmy-winning Cosmos revival, Tyson returns to Newark’s prestigious New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Dec. 15.

While previous Tyson talks at NJPAC have been focused on themes such as the cosmic perspective and the depiction of science in cinema, the billing of this next engagement is elegantly simple: An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson.

“I’m deeply flattered that the event can be advertised just as An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson and that people will come without knowing in advance what the topic will be,” Tyson said. “I’m deeply flattered by that, it means they know they’re going to expect something that at its best will blow their mind but at a minimum will just definitely stimulate their cosmic curiosity.”

Tyson did, however, tell Fan Theory what will be on his mind when he’s back in Newark: Space.

“Specifically, our past, present and future in space, so (I’ll be discussing) the space program, NASA, SpaceX. What does it all mean? What did it all mean? Have we lost track? Are we on track? Who’s lying to us?

“I think the subtitle of this talk, if there were such a thing to post, would be: ‘Delusions of space enthusiasts.’ There’s been a lot of sort of hopeful wishful thinking about our future in space, not only by futurists but also by science-fiction storytellers, and there’s a reality check that I think it desperately needs which I will be offering people. So it’s a celebration of the fact that we’re in space at all, but a reality check on what the future may bring.”

With a new presidential administration set to take control in the White House next month, there has been plenty of speculation and concern over what the future holds for space exploration specifically and scientific development in general in the United States over the next four years.

Tyson, however, said he chooses not to place his focus on the man in charge and rather speaks directly to the population at large.

“I think people put too much emphasis on who’s the leader in a democracy and not enough emphasis on who it is that’s doing the voting,” Tyson said. “Because people say, ‘Oh, now with Trump president what’s his plan for space?’ Well, if we as a country vote someone into office, their plan in space should be our plan, right? That’s really how that should work."

Tyson has served at the Hayden Planetarium for more than 20 years, and before that worked at Princeton University and the University of Maryland. Whether it's in the classroom, on television or in the world of podcasting with his hit series StarTalk, Tyson has made his reputation by keeping the public informed.

“So, as an educator," Tyson said, "I hardly ever think about politicians. I think about the electorate and stimulating within them a sense of exploration and discovery, not only because it’s fun and interesting to do, but it is deeply and inextricably linked to our health, in particular our wealth and in recent times also to our security.

“These are three things that any sovereign nation should care deeply about, and in a democracy you should be informed enough about those topics to then vote in an informed way. Otherwise, it’s not an informed democracy, it’s a popularity contest or something. Whatever it is, it’s not the kind of democracy that would actually carry you into the future, which is something that we’ve come to take for granted, perhaps.

“The United States has been an innovation nation for the past 80 years, leading the world in innovation and what kind of marketplace would derive from it. The day that stops, and there are signs that that’s slowing if not stopped entirely, the rest of the world picks up the slack. But then they play the tune, and it’s the tune to which we must dance.”