Neil deGrasse Tyson Selected as EarthSky Science Communicator of the Year

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthSky –a clear voice for science heard around the world -- and more than 600 scientists today announced the selection of Neil deGrasse Tyson as the EarthSky Science Communicator of the Year for 2009.

Dr. Tyson is an astrophysicist and the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.  Since 2006, he has served as host of PBS's educational television show NOVA scienceNOW. He has been a frequent guest on The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and other programs.  Dr. Tyson was selected as EarthSky Science Communicator of the Year after EarthSky asked its 600+ Global Science Advisors to nominate and vote on which scientists had best communicated with the public during 2009.  Dr. Tyson's name rose to the top from a wide field of prestigious figures in science.

Many expressed this sentiment about Dr. Tyson:  "Especially since 2009 was the International Year of Astronomy, it's appropriate that we honor Neil deGrasse Tyson and acknowledge his outstanding efforts to promote astronomy and other sciences."

EarthSky is featuring Dr. Tyson in an 8-minute EarthSky Clear Voices for Science podcast, speaking on the importance of science in creating an informed U.S. electorate.  Listen to the podcast:  Neil deGrasse Tyson: 'Learning how to think is empowerment'

EarthSky – producer of the internationally syndicated science podcasts in English and Spanish – serves as a platform for scientists to speak on important issues facing the 21st century. Through its global broadcast network and online outlets, EarthSky creates 15 million media impressions for science and scientists every day. In other words, people hear, watch or read the words of scientists – via EarthSky – that often every day.

The EarthSky Science Communicator of the Year award was established in 2008.  The 2008 winner - selected by EarthSky's Global Science Advisors - was Dr. James Hansen, a physicist, who heads the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City.  Dr. Hansen is an outspoken authority on climate change.

The EarthSky promise: "To bring the ideas, strategies and research results of scientists to people around the world, with the goal of illuminating pathways to a sustainable future."

SOURCE EarthSky Communications, Inc.