Neil Degrasse Tyson is an American author, science communicator, and astrophysicist, best known for his media appearances regarding the popularization of science. Neil is a highly qualified scientist, who gained massive popularity for his scientific discoveries. No wonder many speculate about his intellectual capabilities and brain power.
Reportedly, Neil Degrasse Tyson’s IQ score is around 123, indicating an above-average caliber. However, many believe that it is not the correct score and the test has not been sufficient to capture all aspects of his intelligence. Either way, he demonstrates a higher level of intellect and let’s learn all about it.
First off, Tyson attended Harvard University for a bachelor’s degree in Physics. He subsequently went on to complete his MPhil and PhD from Columbia University in astrophysics. These two institutions are highly competitive and admission alone to these universities indicates a higher academic caliber.
Moreover, Tyson authored top-selling books on astrophysics, including Death by Black Hole and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, and critics also lauded him for scientific accuracy. He also occasionally writes for the Natural History column. This is clearly indicative of his ability to understand complex concepts and communicate them verbally and in written document form.
Final Thoughts
Aside from academics, he believes in the popularization of science concepts and received several honors for his services in this regard. These awards include the Stephen Hawking Award for Communication, the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal, and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal.