Acclaimed physicist Stephen Hawking dies at age 76

The world is mourning the loss of the most influential scientist of our time, including his friends and colleagues in our own backyard.

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking died Wednesday morning in Cambridge, England at the age of 76.

His friends and students at the perimeter institute in Waterloo say aside from having a brilliant mind, Hawking never let his physical limitations stop him from achieving greatness.

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 space-time that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018

Genius is so fine and rare. Goodbye Professor Hawking. You inspired and taught us all. pic.twitter.com/9Drdnv2eEe

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) March 14, 2018

Stephen Hawking inspired me before ALS – to keep asking questions, seeking answers, and understanding the cosmic perspective. But since ALS, he saved my life with his example – people diagnosed with ALS can continue to live productive & purposeful lives for decades.
-SG

— Steve Gleason (@TeamGleason) 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