That the north star is the brightest in the night sky. I'd guess about 9 out of 10 people think this. But it does not require a grant from the National Science Foundation to learn the answer. The North Star is not even in the top 40 in the night sky. It's the 49th brightest star. Rather dull and boring by most measures.
Neil deGrasse TysonWe hunger for significance, for signs that our personal existence is of special meaning to the universe. To that end, weโre all too eager to deceive ourselves and others, to discern a sacred image in a grilled cheese sandwich or find a divine warning in a comet
Neil deGrasse TysonAs important as the civil rights movement was, I think what will rise to the top is that we left Earth in that time.
Neil deGrasse TysonIn just one year, the expenditure of of the U.S.'s military budget is equivalent to the entire 50-year running budget of NASA combined.
Neil deGrasse TysonBy the way, were we to find life-forms on Venus, we would probably call them Venutians, just as people from Mars would be Martians. But according to rules of Latin genitives, to be โof Venusโ ought to make you a Venereal. Unfortunately, medical doctors reached that word before astronomers did. Canโt blame them, I suppose. Venereal disease long predates astronomy, which itself stands as only the second oldest profession.
Neil deGrasse Tyson