Back in 2008, TIME Magazine sat down with Neil deGrasse Tyson to ask him ten reader-submitted questions about science and the cosmos. Eventually, interviewer Gilbert Cruz came to the following question:

What is the most astounding fact you can share with us about the universe?

Tyson's response was incredibly moving, if not entirely original; the astrophysicist is definitely channeling his inner Sagan here, but he gives his explanation that special Tyson twist that inspires us to know more about the world and the universe.


If you've never heard Tyson's response, do yourself a favor and give it a listen — it'll give you chills. If you have heard it before, go ahead and listen to it again; YouTuber Max Schlickenmeyer recently put Tyson's response to music, and added some stunning footage of the cosmos, to great effect. The final product more than justifies revisiting Tyson's (and Sagan's) message.

edit: This post originally listed Tyson's interviewer as Adam Kraus; he was, in fact, interviewed by Time's Gilbert Cruz

[Max Schlickenmeyer via It's Okay to be Smart]