10 Questions for Neil deGrasse Tyson

A TIME 100 honoree, the director of New York City's Hayden Planetarium and the host of PBS's Nova Science Now , he's brought astrophysics down to earth. Neil deGrasse Tyson will now take your questions

Adam Krause for Time

Neil deGrasse Tyson

What's the difference between astronomy and astrophysics? Sheila Kaminsky BROOKLYN, N.Y.

There was a day long ago when all you could do to study the universe was pull out a telescope and look up. Physics did not come of age until the late 1800s. Now any modern-day astronomer is also an astrophysicist. We use them interchangeably.

What should be done about the fact that American children lag behind kids in other countries in science and math? Francis Harrington MARLBOROUGH, MASS.

We need to do something about the stigma. Somehow it's O.K. for people to chuckle about not being good at math....

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