personality to help us understand the beauty and the importance of space science and exploration. the frederick p. rose director of the hayden planetarium, born and raised in new york city, dr. tyson attended the bronx high school of science and later earned his ba in physics from harvard and then his ph.d. in astrophysics from columbia. [inaudible] that s right. [laughter] he has been an adviser to nasa and to three presidents on matters related to space exploration and has been awarded 16 honorary doctorates. he even has an asteroid named after him. widely known as a friendmy of flew toe, he of pluto, he joins us to discuss his latest book, space chronicles: facing the ultimate frontier. please join me now in giving a warm welcome to dr. neil degrasse tyson. [cheers and applause] thank you for that warm introduction. just is so you know just so you know, this is the only public talk anywhere that i m giving on this book. so you are here, here and now, for it. ju