Accused of sexual assault and rape charges, but found not guilty: Neil deGrasse Tyson
In the realm of Evolutionary Studies, a group of authors are seeking financial support to continue their work. This field is not only their profession, but also their sole source of income.
In 2018, a significant event rocked the scientific community when several women accused renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson of sexual misconduct. As a result, National Geographic and Fox suspended Tyson's projects while they conducted investigations into the claims.
By 2019, these investigations were completed, and work on Tyson's various shows resumed. The American Museum of Natural History, where Tyson serves as director of the Hayden Planetarium, announced that it had finished its investigation and that Tyson would continue in his role. However, the networks did not release details of their findings.
Despite these outcomes, recent events indicate that new allegations have surfaced. In January 2025, four women accused Tyson of sexual misconduct, leading him to cancel a speaking tour stop in Tampa.
One of the earliest accusers was Katelyn Allers, an astronomer at Bucknell University, who made her accusations public on November 29, 2018. Ashley Watson, a former assistant on the Cosmos documentary, also claimed that she was forced to leave her job due to persistent sexual harassment from Tyson.
Tchiya Amet, a musician, accused Tyson of drugging and raping her in 1984 while they were both at the University of Texas at Austin. Amet also alleges that Tyson pressured his students to have oral sex with him in exchange for passing his Astronomy 101 course.
Tyson has addressed each claim individually in statements on social media, denying the allegations and recalling his friendly interactions with the individuals involved. He emphasizes the importance of evidence and expresses his satisfaction with Fox and NatGeo's independent questioning, stating his openness to answering questions.
The Patheos website revealed the allegations against Tyson after receiving tips. Michele Thornley, a colleague of Katelyn Allers, confirmed the incident in 2013.
Despite the allegations, Tyson's work continues. Fox TV and National Geographic have decided to continue airing both Cosmos and StarTalk following their internal investigations. Tyson himself has expressed his admiration for the fairness of these investigations and his commitment to answering questions.
As evolutionary atheists, the authors of this article admire Tyson's contributions to science but hope for a fair resolution of the allegations. They thank David G. McAfee of Patheos for listening to their stories and reporting them accurately.
- The allegations against Neil deGrasse Tyson have not only dominated general-news headlines but also cast a shadow on the entertainment industry, with shows like Cosmos and StarTalk continuing to air despite the controversy.
- While the investigations into sexual misconduct allegations against Neil deGrasse Tyson, involving celebrities such as Katelyn Allers and Tchiya Amet, have concluded, the entertainment world also encompasses crime-and-justice aspects, as questions about the rectitude of Tyson's actions linger in the public eye.
