Neil DeGrasse Tyson is possibly the coolest scientist ever. Not only is he a brilliant astrophysicist, but he is an amazing communicator about science. As the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History and host of NOVA ScienceNOW on PBS, he has the public’s ear on the world of science – and there couldn’t be a better spokesperson.

He is clearly a genius, but he’s funny. He’s personable. He loves science and wants other to love it. He thinks science is just the niftiest and when you hear him talk, you can’t help but agree (mostly cuz he’s right).

Tyson has become a fixture on talk shows when they need a go-to sciencey type and can frequently be seen on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, even Real Time With Bill Maher. Last night he was on TDS and gives us an understanding of why we got the moon and why we aren’t likely to get to Mars any time soon at the rate we’re going.

He also schools Jon on the earth’s rotation. Good times.