Neil deGrasse Tyson may be facing his greatest challenge yet.

As a world-renowned astrophysicist, he has taught millions of science neophytes about the intricacies of space through his 13 books and numerous TV appearances, including his return as host of the docuseries Cosmos: Possible Worlds (which makes its primetime network debut on Fox on September 22). Hes also helped guide skeptical politicians by serving on various government commissions on the future of space travel.

But teaching his kids to drive? That may require more skill (and patience) than even he can muster.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Tyson, 61, head of New Yorks famed Hayden Planetarium, has spent recent months living with his wife and two grown children as a pod in their spacious loft apartment in Downtown Manhattan, a few blocks from the World Trade Center. This summer, he said they were still taking seriously the precautions of medical experts, right on down to disinfecting grocery packaging that enters the home, and leaving delivered packages untouched for one, two, or three days, depending on the exterior material.

Hes used the additional at-home time to hone his cooking skills and make headway on writing a new book. Next on the agenda: those driving classes, though he suspects his kids would just as soon wait for driverless cars.

Tyson explores such possible future worldshere on Earth or on some distant planetin Cosmos, the third installment of the Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning series originated in 1980 by Tysons mentor, Carl Sagan.

The themes of Cosmos are eternal, Mr. Tyson said. Is the world mature enough, capable enough, cooperative enough to handle a threat to our species? The answer might seem grim, given the patchwork of international response to the current pandemic. But if anyone can find light at the end of our tunneleven light-years awayits Tyson, who can wax poetic on the beauty of a supernova as easily as he can the arrival of Shake Shack and Krispy Kreme to his neighborhood.

Covid-19 was a shot across our bow, he warned, assuring that his new series (which aired on the National Geographic Channel this spring) is nonetheless filled with hope at every turn.

As for what fills his shelves, Mr. Tyson shared with Mansion Global some of his most treasured possessions.

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Neil deGrasse Tyson Reveals the Wonders of Space, and His Personal Space at Home - Mansion Global