Er hatte zahlreiche Positionen an Institutionen wie der University of Maryland, Princeton University, am Naturhistorischen Museum in New York und am Hayden Planetarium in New York inne und schrieb eine Reihe populärwissenschaftlicher Bücher über Astronomie. ###>Upon being asked for his thoughts on becoming director, Tyson said "...when I was a kid... there were scientists and educators on the staff at the Hayden Planetarium... who invested their time and energy in my enlightenment... and I've never forgotten that.