Famed astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson has recently come under fire for alleged acts of sexual harassment; producers of his TV program have begun investigating the claims made against him.
“[We are] committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded… The credo at the heart of Cosmos is to follow the evidence wherever it leads,” said the producers of Tyson’s show “Cosmos” to the Washington Post.
The sexual misconduct claims – one made in 2017 and the most recent two made in November of 2018 – all describe the scientist as having made the women feel deeply uncomfortable, with outright rape being levied against him in the oldest accusation by musician Tchiya Amet.
Ashley Watson, most recent of them all, shared her experiences on the website Patheos, stating that Tyson had made inappropriate remarks and actions towards her during her invited stay at his apartment.
The former show assistant and personal driver to Tyson explained that he had invited her over to celebrate their friendship after a day on the set, but then proceeded to make suggestive comments to her.
One such comment involved Tyson remarking to Watson that everyone needed releases and inquiring what hers was.
When she has tried to leave, he then asked her to perform a Native American handshake with him by feeling each other’s pulses and staring into each other’s eyes.
“It felt very manipulative and strange. I felt like he was expressing that he wanted to have a sexual relationship with me,” said Watson.
Another recent accuser, Bucknell University Astronomer Katelyn Allers, said that Tyson and reached into her dress during a photo at an American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in 2009.
“Tyson was there, and he was dancing and drinking and all of that at the party, so a friend and I decided to get pictures with him,” said Allers to Patheos in an interview.
Allers then reported that Tyson, noticing the solar system tattoo on her arm, began to inspect it in-depth.
“After we had taken the picture, he noticed my tattoo and kind of grabbed me to look at it and was really obsessed about whether I had Pluto on this tattoo… and then he looked for Pluto, and followed the tattoo into my dress,” said Allers.
She commented later that Tyson is “not someone who has great respect for the female bodily autonomy.”
Tyson, on his end, has confirmed the events of the most recent accusations, though denying the rape allegation. However, the Hayden Planetarium Director has cast both incidents in a different light.
Instead, Tyson explains that he was simply expressing his friendliness and enthusiasm for science; to Allers, he issued a statement on Facebook, saying, “That was never my intent and I’m deeply sorry to have made her feel that way.”
He also issued one to Watson in the same Facebook post, stating, “…had I known she was uncomfortable, I would have apologized on the spot [in the apartment], ended the evening, and possibly reminded her of the other social gathering that she could attend.”
Tyson also supports the desire for an investigation to be launched into his actions, stating that “an impartial investigation can best serve the truth.”
Regardless, many have already drawn their conclusions on the situation, with some wanting to believe Tyson’s innocence, while others are siding with the accusers.
“I think it depends on how someone looks at it… because it sounds like it could go either way,” said Saint Xavier University (SXU) senior Ronald Guhl, further opining that “Mr. Tyson just sounds like he’s socially awkward.”
Joshua Mira
News Editor