Groundbreaking physicist, author Stephen Hawking dies at 76
World-renowned physicist and best-selling author Professor Stephen Hawking, known for his work in modern cosmology, has died at the age of 76.
His children released a statement announcing his passing, which said: "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," according to the BBC.
The author of 1988's "A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes," which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history.
In this March 30, 2015 file photo, Professor Stephen Hawking arrives for the Interstellar Live show at the Royal Albert Hall in central London. Hawking, whose brilliant mind ranged across time and space though his body was paralyzed by disease, has died, a family spokesman said early Wednesday, March 14, 2018. (AP Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision, File)
"Not since Albert Einstein has a scientist so captured the public imagination and endeared himself to tens of millions of people around the world," City University of New York theoretical physics professor Michio Kaku told the New York Times.
Throughout his career, Hawking made numerous important contributions to the understanding of the universe in fields including cosmology, quantum gravity and general relativity.
He and mathematician Sir Roger Penrose worked together to show that Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity suggests that space and time began at the birth of the universe, known as the Big Bang, and ends within black holes, according to Space.com.
He showed that quantum effects allow black holes to emit black body radiation, which is referred to as Hawking radiation.
Hawking was once quoted as saying, "My goal is simple; it is complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all," according to the Washington Post.
Hawking's passing evoked an outpouring of condolences on social media, including from celebrities, scientists and fans of his work.
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. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018
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 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5
— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018
We're very proud to call Stephen Hawking an alumnus of Oxford, and enormously saddened by his passing. Our thoughts are with his family. He reminded us all to "be curious", for there is "always something you can do and succeed at". pic.twitter.com/DUSRbeao3U
— Oxford University (@UniofOxford) March 14, 2018
Educated at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21.
Given only approximately two years to live following his diagnosis with the debilitating illness, the celebrated scientist defied odds and went on to attain his Ph.D, write 15 books and contribute valuable knowledge to physics.
An Academy Award-winning film based on his life, titled "The Theory of Everything," was released in 2014.
