Neil deGrasse Tyson

13.8 billion years ago

Neil deGrasse Tyson says the observable universe began in an infinitesimal point about 13.8 billion years ago.

“you see and interact with in this universe began in an infinitesimal point.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:21:39

1998

Tyson says the discovery that the universe's expansion is accelerating won a Nobel Prize in 1998.

“The universe is accelerating. That won a Nobel Prize 1998 Nobel Prize.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:26:07

2026

Tyson says his book 'Take Me To Your Leader' was released on May 12, 2026, the same month the Pentagon released UFO files.

“my book was released in May, on May 12th.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:29:31

2026

Tyson says astronomers' catalogs now contain about 6,000 exoplanets.

“our catalogs now have 6,000 exoplanets in them, and that's just in a tiny little area.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:31:50

Undated

Tyson says tidal forces would eventually snap a person falling into a small black hole in two, likely at the base of the spine.

“Eventually, you'll snap into two pieces, likely separated at the base of your spine.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:01:36

Undated

Tyson says the elements in the human body were forged in stars that exploded.

“the elements in our body were forged in stars that exploded”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:13:44

Undated

Tyson says dark matter and dark energy together account for about 95 percent of what drives the universe.

“If you add up dark matter and dark energy, it's 95 of what's driving the universe.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:22:51

Undated

Tyson says life on Earth began within about 100 million years of the earliest time it possibly could have.

“life got underway within 100 million years of as early as it possibly could have.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:31:20

Undated

Tyson says Earth's escape velocity is about seven miles per second.

“That's called the escape velocity for Earth. How fast is that? It's really fast, really fast. Uh, seven miles per second.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:39:23

Undated

Tyson says orbital speed is about 17,000 miles an hour, so small satellite fragments can be more destructive than a rifle bullet.

“orbital speed is is 17,000 miles an hour. That's way faster than a rifle bullet, so little pieces of satellite can be far more devastating than a high-powered rifle bullet”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 0:58:29

Undated

Tyson argues humanity cannot yet simulate a universe, so we would be either the first or last in any simulation chain.

“We humans on Earth do not yet have the power to create an entire other universe with people in it who have what they believe is free will.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 1:24:17

Undated

Tyson says the Horace Mann quotation he wants on his tombstone is 'Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.'

“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson · Neil deGrasse Tyson On Aliens, Simulation Theory, and What Happens Inside A Black Hole, 1:42:14