One of the world’s greatest astrophysicists the world has ever seen, Stephen Hawking, passed away early today morning.He was 76 years old.
Hawking had a rare slow-progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that eventually paralysed him over time.He was still able to communicate using a speech-generating device.
SOME ACHIEVEMENTS OF STEPHEN HAWKING
Known for his phenomenal scientific works including a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity,the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation often called Hawking radiation and many more,Hawking was admired and respected by many within and beyond his fields.
Hawking was the first to conceptualize a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics.He was an avid supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics which said that many worlds exist in parallel at the same time as our own.
Hawking was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA),a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences,and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom,the highest civilian award in USA.In 2002,Hawking was ranked 25 in BBC’s poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.
His book,A Brief History of Time,appeared on the British Sunday Times best-seller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks.
Hawking’s life was also portrayed in movies including Hawking,A Brief History Of Time and Beyond The Horizon.To a person of such ability,we pay our deepest condolences.May he rest in peace.
