NASA Pays Touching Tribute To 'Superman' Science Genius Stephen Hawking

The death of Professor Stephen Hawking was announced this morning and, as is befitting of a man who has had such a profound effect on the way in which we understand our world, tributes have been filling up social media. One of the most fitting has come from no less than NASA, who tweeted the following video:

The video was accompanied by a touching post, which read:

"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 passing leaves a significant hole in the world of science, due to his extraordinary understanding of physics and cosmology - not for nothing was he referred to as the 'world's smartest man' in an episode of The Simpsons.

PA

Hawking died at the age of 76 after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease, spanning several decades.

Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for his performance as Hawking in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything, and the actor today paid tribute.

"We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet," he said. "My love and thoughts are with his extraordinary family."

Redmayne met Hawking when the filming of The Theory of Everything was complete, and described the experience as 'one of the greatest moments of my life'.

He said: "When Stephen saw the film, I was rehearsing so I couldn't see him beforehand but I saw him just after he went in and I said, 'Hey Stephen, I'm very nervous, but please do let me know what you think'.

"[Hawking] took a while to respond and said in his iconic voice: 'I will let you know what I think, good or otherwise.'"

PA

Hawking was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 1964 at the age of just 22 and was not expected to survive more than a few years.

Among his more celebrated works were a series of groundbreaking books on cosmology - most notably A Brief History of Time.

RIP Professor Stephen Hawking.

Topics: Science, World News, Celebrity, Nasa, space, Stephen Hawking

Mike Wood

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]