Neil deGrasse Tyson

Fox and National Geographic temporarily suspended Tyson's programmes while the allegations were examined, then announced their resumption following investigation. The American Museum of Natural History conducted its own investigation and announced in July 2019 that Tyson would remain employed and director of the Hayden Planetarium.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Tchiya Amet, who studied with Tyson at the University of Texas, publicly alleged that he drugged and raped her in 1984. Her account, published several years later, received renewed attention when other allegations emerged in 2018.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Katelyn Allers, a professor of physics and astronomy, alleged that in 2009 Tyson placed his hand under part of her dress while trying to see whether her solar system tattoo included Pluto. She described the gesture as intrusive and disturbing.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Ashley Watson, a production assistant on Cosmos, alleged that Tyson invited her to his home and behaved in a sexually suggestive manner, notably telling her that a simple hug would make him want more. She subsequently left her job.

Attribution

Personally implicated

A fourth woman, whose identity was withheld in press reports, alleged that Tyson made sexual remarks and harassed her at a professional event in 2010, increasing the number of accusers while several institutions were already examining the other accounts.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Under Neil deGrasse Tyson's leadership, the Hayden Planetarium chose in 2000 to present Pluto alongside icy Kuiper Belt objects rather than the eight major planets. When this decision became public, Tyson found himself at the centre of an intense controversy, fuelled particularly by schoolchildren's letters and astronomers defending Pluto's planetary status.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated