An early series of US space missions, the Apollo missions were intended to develop technology necessary to explore and work in space, to land on and explore the moon, and to establish the US as a leader in space exploration. Apollo 11, which took place in July 1969, is the most famous Apollo flight because it represented the first human landing on the moon and returned successfully. In Starry Messenger, Neil deGrasse Tyson references Apollo 8, the first mission to orbit the moon.

The concept of exponential growth is crucial for understanding both the cosmic perspective and evidence-based thinking. Exponential growth is a growth pattern that becomes increasingly rapid in proportion to the growing number or size. Tyson gives a functional example through describing algae growth: If algae on a lake doubles each day, and if it takes one month for the lake to be half covered, it will take one day more for the lake to be entirely covered.

A social phenomenon in which a strong desire to conform influences well-intentioned individuals in a group, groupthink results in poor or irrational decisions. Consequences of groupthink include the loss of creativity, independence, and individuality.