Today’s theme: Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking, the physicist and author of A Brief History of Time died at the age of 76 on March 14th, 2018. In a statement, Hawking’s children 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. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.” In commemoration, we look into his findings and achievements as well as the personal side of the brilliant mind.

The Conversationalist

with

Science journalist Mark Zastrow

“His areas of interests were on black holes, Big Bang and the origin of universe. Are these common subject of study in the field of theoretical physics, or is he unique?

One of his most prominent discoveries was what’s called the Hawking radiation, which suggests that black hole isn’t so black. Can you walk us through the theory?”

&

Professor Gary Horowitz

Physics Department at University of California Santa Barbara

From left to right, former UC Santa Barbara professor Andy Strominger (now at Harvard), Stephen Hawking and UC Santa Barbara’s Gary Horowitz.

“You actually met him several times visiting Cambridge and Hawking also visited you in Santa Barbara. How was he generally when meeting with other scientists?

He had to speak with great difficulty because of the Lou Gehrig's disease and had to use the speech synthesizer from some point. Can you tell us what it was like communicating with him?”

Media Monster

The Theory of Everything

Next week: 장국영 Leslie Cheung

(in time for April Fool’s Day)