Like a planetary orbit, life has come full circle for Neil deGrasse Tyson. The passion born from a trip to Hayden Planetarium in elementary school would lead him back almost 30 years later. This time however, it wouldn't be as a star struck observer, but as one of the world's top astrophysicists hired to run the place.



At age 9, a chance trip to the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan piqued the curiosity of a young Tyson, who, upon glimpsing what truly lied beyond the casual gaze up from the light polluted apartments in the Bronx, felt called to the night sky. He expressed the birth of his life's quest in his memoir, The Sky Is Not The Limit:

"For years to follow, one question lingered with me: Was that indelible planetarium sky an accurate portrayal of the real celestial sphere? Or was it a fantasy? Or worse, a hoax?"



His ardor for exploration was fueled through a pair of binoculars at age 11, given to him by a friend who suggested he look up, instead of in apartment windows. Viewing the moon in the cool night air, he was transformed by the details and intricacies of the lunar landscape, and wondered at what was beyond their limited vision. For his 12th birthday his parents bought young Neil his first telescope. Residing in Lexington, Mass. while his father was serving a fellowship, Tyson spent the days and nights outside in the spacious backyard, free from the constraints & distractions of the big city, dedicating himself to discovering all facets of the celestial realm.



By the time he was 15, Tyson had studied in the Mojave Desert, sailed off the northwest coast of Africa with Isaac Asimov and Neil Armstrong to study a solar eclipse, and given lectures at The Hayden Planetarium.



When he graduated from Bronx High School of Science in 1976, where he captained the wrestling team, he was actively recruited by Carl Sagan to attend Cornell University, which he turned down in order to study physics at Harvard, where he continued wrestling, lettering his senior year. Graduating with a B.A. in Physics, he took his graduate work to the University of Texas Austin to pursue a M.A. in Astronomy. Along the way, he developed a passion for dancing, studying many styles, culminating in a gold medal with the UT dance team in International Latin Ballroom style. When asked about a possible stint on Dancing with the Stars, Tyson's charming baritone laugh suggested that given the right circumstances, he just might be interested.



Besides directing the Hayden Planetarium, serving on two presidential-appointed commissions, and hosting PBS' Nova science NOW, Tyson has made it his mission to get science and space back to the forefront of the American cultural landscape. He firmly believes that a return to the impassioned dedication of the Apollo-era space programs can only benefit the future generations as science and technology fast become the norm.



"We have to change the culture," says Tyson. "Science education takes more than teachers to be effective.” He believes that a nation that has the boldness to invest in itself and stimulate interest in science education has at it's fingertips the keys to the future.



"You hear all the time people saying, 'Oh I was never good at math' and laughing about it. You never hear someone say they weren't too good at English or Social Studies. Why is that acceptable?"



Tyson pens a column in Natural History magazine titled "The Universe," where he takes bold stances on issues from string theory to intelligent design. He was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2007 and has also been named "The Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive." His latest book, Death by Black Hole, was a bestseller. His ability to intermix humor, wonder, and science has made him a favorite repeat guest on The Daily Show with John Stewart, The Colbert Report, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.



Tuesday, April 29 at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Dr. Tyson will address the public as part of the Willi Unsoeld Seminar Series. He will discuss the importance of assessing the role and value of science and technology education, and how to get Americans interested in taking a vital role in developing our future on (and off) our planet.

[The Evergreen State College, 7:30 p.m., $5-$20 at Rainy Day records in downtown Olympia and www.buyolympia.com, College Recreation Center, 2700 Evergreen Pkwy., Olympia, 360.867.6833]