The British physicist, mathematician and cosmologist Stephen Hawking has died. He was 76 years old. Hawking is seen as one of the greatest scientists of our time.
Diagnosed at age 21 while a student at Cambridge University, Hawking has survived longer than most. He receives around-the-clock care, can only communicate by twitching his cheek, and relies on a computer mounted to his wheelchair to convey his thoughts in a distinctive robotic monotone.
In a statement the family lets it be deeply sad. “He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years to come.”
Hawking was best known for his research into black holes, places in the universe with a lot of gravity that can not do anything, not even light. Hawking discovered a radiation there, which was named after him.
He also developed the concept of imaginary time in cosmology. With this imaginary time he hoped to be able to solve singularities (points in the cosmos where normal physical laws do not apply), such as the big bang and black holes.
Rest in Piece Stephen….