Stephen Hawking who died on March 13, 2018 is one of the most famous theoretical physicists in history. His work on the origin and structure of the universe revolutionized physics into what we know today.
"There has never been a scientist after Albert Einstein (other than Hawking) who could captivate the public imagination and get closer to tens of millions of people around the world," said Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at City University of New York
Hawking was born in England on January 8, 1942. He studied physics at University College, although his father asked him to study medicine. After graduating, he studied cosmology at Cambridge University.
In early 1963, Hawking, who was then on his 21st birthday, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. He was thought to only survive for two years, but in fact can live until the age of 76 years.
However, the ALS disease suffered by Hawking is not without impact. He slowly loses his ability to move and must wear a wheelchair.
In 1985, Hawking had to undergo a tracheostomy surgery that left him unable to speak. Fortunately, a tool made by Cambridge University helped her to communicate. Hawking can choose his words just by moving the muscles on the cheeks.
A genius
Her illness did not break Hawking's desire to explore the universe. During his career, Hawking tried to uncover the mystery of the universe. He also hypothesized that if the universe had a beginning, the Big Bang, then it would have an end as well.
Hawking collaborated with cosmologist Roger Penrose and demonstrated Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity which shows that space and time begin at the birth of the universe and end with a black hole.
Integrating Einstein's theory and quantum theory, Hawking found that black holes do not just stand still. The black hole actually hissed, released radiation and particles, before it exploded and disappeared.
When he realized this, Hawking himself did not believe it. However, all calculations return to the same result.
The results were then published in 1974 in an article titled "Black Hole Explosion?" In the journal Nature and gave rise to a new concept called Hawking radiation.
In 2014, Hawking revised his theory and stated that black holes do not exist, at least the black holes we know traditionally.
In this controversial new theory, Hawking does not recognize the event horizon or black hole boundaries. Instead, he says the black hole has a horizon that will change according to quantum change.
In addition, Hawking also claims that the universe has no boundaries. Although the number of planets is limited, a person can circle around indefinitely and never meet the wall.
In popular media
In addition to a scientist, Hawking is the author of a popular book. His first book, published in 1988 under the title A Brief History of Time, has sold over 10 million copies. In the book, Hawking tries to communicate questions about the birth and death of the universe.
In addition to A Brief History of Time, Hawking also wrote nonfiction books for the early community under the title A Briefer History of Time, The Universe in a Nutshell, The Grand Design, and On the Shoulder of Giants.
With his daughter Lucy Hawking, he wrote a fiction book about the creation of the universe for teenagers. One of these books is entitled George and the Big Bang.
Outside the pen and paper, Hawking also performed several times on television, including acting as himself on one of the Star Tracks episodes: The Next Generation and Big Bang Theory. He also has an educational miniseries event called Stephen Hawking's Universe.
He has also appeared on The Simpsons and GoCompare insurance comparison site. His voice in the ad is then used Pink Floyd for their song called Keep Talking.
Finally and perhaps best known to the people of Indonesia is a movie called The Theory of Everything that makes Hawking reflect his life again.
In his Facebook account, Hawking writes in 2014, though I'm severely handicapped, I have been very successful in my lecture. I have traveled a long way and have been to Antarctica and Easter Island, descended into a submarine and boarded a flight without gravity.
"One day, I hope to get into space," he added.
