Stephen Hawking, famed British theoretical physicist and author of “A Brief History of Time,” has died at the age of 76, his family told The Associated Press.
A wide range of people from celebrities to scientists to those spanning across the globe took to social media to offer their condolences and pay their respect:
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.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson)
Key discoveries made by , a thread:
-1970: discovers using quantum theory and general relativity, you can show that black holes can emit radiation
-1973: Publishes journal on Hawking radiation, the theory that black holes could leak energy and particles into space— Nerdist (@nerdist)
The world has lost a beautiful mind and a brilliant scientist. RIP Stephen Hawking
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai)
A star just went out in the cosmos. We have lost an amazing human being. Stephen Hawking fought and tamed the cosmos bravely for 76 years and taught us all something importantabout what it truly means to celebrate about being human. I will miss him.
— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1)
. RIP Stephen Hawking. A sense of humor as vast as the universe.
— Al Jean (@AlJean)
R.I.P. Stephen Hawking. Among his many profound contributions to this world was this simple sentiment: “It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.”
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower)
I just heard about Stephen Hawking's passing. He was both a genius and my favorite Simpsons character. We'll miss you, buddy.
— Macaulay Culkin (@IncredibleCulk)
It had to happen, eventually. We were lucky to have him for so long, and I was lucky to be able to work with him. A truly fabulous human being. Stephen Hawking. Funny, perverse, and, of course, brilliant.
— errolmorris (@errolmorris)
Just read one of the greatest minds, physicist , has passed. Physical barriers could not prevent his mind and spirit from soaring beyond the stars and there was definitely no “dis” in his brilliant abilities. RIP.
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin)
https://twitter.com/LaniGlobal/status/973772516882767872
"Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious." — Stephen Hawking
— Simran Jeet Singh (@simran)
Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS in 1963. Doctors gave him two years to live. He has died at 76.
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_)
Shout out to Stephen Hawking. The universe was lucky to have you.
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII)
I rarely cry at the death of people I don’t know personally, but the announcement of the passing of Stephen Hawking just brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful genius this earth has lost.
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy)
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/973772005467025408
https://twitter.com/emmyrossum/status/973771664629514241
