Contact: Jim Laird
Best-selling author and noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson helps welcome more than 100 middle and high school students to the Mississippi State University Raspet Flight Research Laboratory Tuesday [Feb. 15].
The Columbus Middle School and Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science students will participate in a hands-on rocketry activity from 9:15-10:45 a.m. After a brief introduction for the students, Tyson will be available to speak with the media.
In addition to being the best-selling author of "The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet" and "Death By Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries," Tyson also hosts "NOVA science NOW" on PBS. Named People magazine's Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive in 2000, he is known for his ability to make advanced science relatable and entertaining, as seen during his multiple guest appearances on shows like "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."
Sponsored by the MSU Bagley College of Engineering's Distinguished Lecture Series, Tyson's visit culminates with his "A Decade of Cosmic Discovery" presentation at Humphrey Coliseum. The 7 p.m. program is free to all.
The evening event includes a question-and-answer session that will be followed by a book signing in the coliseum's outer concourse. No audio or video recording--or media access to the speaker--will be possible at that time.
Media inquiries should be made to University Relations Director Maridith Geuder at 662-325-7454 or geuderm@ur.msstate.edu.
General information about the event is available from Brenda Grebner at 662-325-7183 or bgrebner@bagley.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, visit http://www.msstate.edu.