Today, the world lost a brilliant mind and legendary scientist when Stephen Hawking, the world-renowned physicist, passed away at the age of 76.
The British scientist had lived most of his life with a rare form of motor neurone disease, which doctors predicted he'd die from by the age of 25. However, against all odds, he carried on, living his life to the fullest by having a family, writing one of the most famous books of all time, and revolutionizing the way we think about cosmology, quantum mechanics, and relativity.
Now, in the wake of his passing, people from across the globe are coming together to celebrate his life, and pay respects to him in his death.
"His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure," wrote astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who, like Hawking has spent his life trying to educate others on the beauty of science.
Adam Savage, the former co-host of Mythbusters, wrote:
"Nooo! I'm so so sad to see the news about Stephen Hawking, and at the same time I imagine him learning something new for the last time, and smiling, and I know that the world was richer with him in it."
"Stephen Hawking inspired the world with his determination to explain the mysteries of the cosmos," wrote Jeremy Corbyn, who then went on to mention one of the physicist's more political achievements: "But he also showed breathtaking courage to overcome life's adversities and a burning passion to protect our National Health Service. He will be greatly missed."
During his lifetime, Hawking showed his more comical side when he appeared in various TV shows, including Star Trek, The Simpsons, and The Big Bang Theory.
He was also the subject of the 2014 film, The Theory of Everything, in which he was portrayed by Eddie Redmayne.
"We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet," the actor said following his passing. "My love and thoughts are with his extraordinary family."
NASA also posted an emotional tribute to the scientist, tweeting: "Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014."
Hawking's three children, Lucy, Robert, and Tim, said in a statement this morning:
"We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.
"He once said: ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him for ever."
It is clear from all these statements and tributes that, although Stephen Hawking may no longer be with us, his legacy is going to live on for thousands of years.
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