Neil deGrasse Tyson is perhaps the most brilliant astrophysicist of our age. He is the reason I am interested in science at all. I am no good at mathematics and I am more interested in geology as a subject than anything else; but Space has always held a special place in my heart. I remember being captivated by the sheer majesty of those burning balls of gas, as a child, and feeling that way, even now, with a greater appreciation of the fact that I want darkness. It is astonishing to stand under the stars, and just take in the wonder of them.
To me, finding out how things work in the universe, being able to explain "mysteries" of our world, through science does not effect my faith; it enhances it. One example I always use in explanation of this is a rainbow. Many of my Christian friends and fellow church attenders, believe that the original instance of the rainbow is the promise of God to Noah and they hate any alternative explanations on the origin of the subject. They won't hear about how light reflects from the multitude of water droplets that comprise the rainbow, causing a prism effect in the sky and that is sad to me, because in my opinion, my knowledge of the rainbow, does not take away from the beauty of it, and certainly doesn't take away the possibility of God creating it. But, I digress. And that is why I love Neil deGrasse Tyson so much. He has opened up doors to knowledge I never really understood and has injected a curiosity into me. Neil deGrasse Tyson stresses the importance of being scientifically literate, and I strive to be. My favorite quote of his is beautifully illustrated by Zen Pencils here: http://zenpencils.com/comic/42-neil-degrasse-tyson-the-most-astounding-fact/
What is brilliant about this quote, is that when reading it/listening to in through youtube, is that it comes across as a sermon about the Universe. It's interesting how he talks about the Universe being inside each of us at the end, because that is a feeling I have had before, when I was just a child, looking up at the sky dotted with stars, here in Houston, not the best place to see stars. He is an inspiration in another way because as I am a college student, I am reminded why I want to be an educator, and how, even though I have moments of melancholy and depression, I generally believe in Humanity's ability to be basically good. Until I become a teacher, and even after, I will look up to those heavenly bodies which dot blackness of space, and feel connected to a Universe that doesn't owe me anything, and stand in awe. Neil deGrasse Tyson will remain one of my heroes, and a worthy one at that, because he has exposed my desire for greater space exploration through NASA, and because with the passion he speaks about space, he has inspired me to continue with my own Dreams and aspirations.
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