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Sarah Lee / The Science Museum via Reuters
Physicist Stephen Hawking is seen in his office at the University of Cambridge in this photo taken for London's Science Museum in December. The picture is part of a series of photographic portraits commissioned by the Science Museum to celebrate Hawking's 70th birthday on Jan. 8. The pictures are part of an exhibit at the musem celebrating Hawking's life and achievements.
The cosmic curios of the world's best-known physicist went on display today at a London science museum, chronicling the amazing 70 years of Stephen Hawking's life. Over the decades, the quadriplegic genius has popped up in so many pop-culture settings that some of those curios require a little explanation.
That's what we found when we ran a picture of the professor in his Cambridge office as the first installment of a "Where in the Cosmos" series on the Cosmic Log Facebook page. There's such a generous assortment of gewgaws that it's a wonder Hawking gets anything done.
Stephen Hawking sets the tone for a Science Museum exhibit reviewing his life.
It turns out that the scene was arranged to show off Hawking's stuff for the exhibit at the Science Museum in London. Take the bronze statue on the desk, for example. I was particularly intrigued by the out-of-focus statue because it seemed to hold such a prominent place in the picture.
"I believe the statue is of the pope," Tracey Walters wrote. "But the picture is kinda fuzzy, so who knows which one?" Others wondered if it was the theologian Erasmus, or maybe King Midas.
Hawking's longtime executive assistant, Judith Croasdell, straightened out the mystery in an email.
"The statue is the Fonseca Prize which Professor Hawking received in Santiago de Compestela, in 2008," she wrote. "It normally sits not on Stephen's desk but on the window shelf because it is heavy — 2 kilograms worth of bronze. Obviously it was put on the desk for the photographers."
A less weighty curio is far easier to recognize: It's a plastic action figure of Hawking as he appeared in an episode of "The Simpsons," the animated show that the physicist has called the best thing American television has to offer. The figurine is festooned with the helicopter top and the spring-loaded boxing glove that played their part in the "Simpsons" plot. In the distance, you can just make out a picture on the wall that shows Hawking encountering Maggie Simpson and other characters from the show. Watch this YouTube clip to learn more about Hawking's "Simpsons" connection.
Other items include a little toy computer with sticky notes, a space shuttle model, and a crystal globe. "The crystal globe is a present given by Discovery and shows a map of the world," Croasdell says. "Carved on the globe are the words 'What is essential is invisible to the eye,' [from] Saint-Exupery."
There's a humidifier on his desk that holds an assortment of seashells. The blackboard you see in the picture above is covered with equations scribbled by his students. Another blackboard in the room, not seen here, that has mathematical in-jokes written on it.
Sarah Lee / Science Museum via Reuters
Another picture commissioned by the Science Museum shows Stephen Hawking with a picture of Marilyn Monroe looming over him.
Another photo of Hawking's office, taken from a different perspective, gives prominent play to his picture of Marilyn Monroe, who is one of the professor's favorite personages from the past. "If I had a time machine, I'd drop in on Marilyn Monroe in her prime," he once mused. The room's walls are covered with flyers as well as photos from Hawking's trips around the world.
To find out more about these items and others in Hawking's office, check out Roger Highfield's profile of the professor in The Telegraph.
The photos are just one little piece of the Science Museum's one-room exhibition: Museumgoers can also see pictures of Hawking before his struggle with motor neuron disease, as well as mementos that touch upon the highlights of his long career. The Science Museum's inventor in residence, Mark Champkins, created a "Black Hole Light" in Hawking's honor that uses a swirl of neon tubing to evoke the path photons would take as they fell into a black hole.
Here's a sampling of the sights:
AP
The Science Museum displays a selection of books and papers by British physicist Stephen Hawking. His best-known work, "A Brief History of Time," has been translated into more than 30 languages. The object at right that looks like a model of Saturn is actually the 2010 Cosmos Award, which Hawking received from the Planetary Society. Hawking's Fonseca Prize and Prince of Asturias Award are also on display.
Alastair Grant / AP
A diagram by British physicist Stephen Hawking, titled "Black Hole and Unpredictability," is one of the papers on display at the Science Museum.
Alastair Grant / AP
A marked script from a "Simpsons" episode that aired in 1999 highlights Stephen Hawking's lines, including this one: "Silence! I don't need anyone to talk for me except this voicebox." The Stephen Hawking action figure has a helicopter-style wheelchair and a boxing glove, just like the character on the show.
Update for 12:45 a.m. ET Jan. 21: When the Planetary Society's Charlene Anderson took a look at the pictures above, she saw a familiar sight — the planet-shaped Cosmos Award that Hawking received from the society in 2010. Check out her posting to the Planetary Society's blog, in which she expresses her surprise and pleasure at seeing the society's award in such a place of honor.
Next on 'Where in the Cosmos': Today's picture puzzle focuses on a far-out subject that's been the subject of research recently. I haven't written anything about it yet, but next week I'll fill you in on why it's significant. One of our Cosmic Log friends has already figured out what the picture shows, and as a reward I'll be sending her a copy of John Gribbin's latest book, "Alone in the Universe." To join the conversation, check out the "Where in the Cosmos" posting on the Cosmic Log Facebook page.
More about Stephen Hawking's life and work:
- Stephen Hawking misses 70th-birthday party
- What mystifies Stephen Hawking? Women
- Hawking defies crippling disease at 70
- Hawking's quantum universe
The exhibit celebrating Stephen Hawking's 70th birthday runs through April 9 at the Science Museum in London.
Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding Cosmic Log's Google+ page to your circle. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for other worlds.
Leave a Comment:
In the photo with Marilyn Monroe's image in the background... Is that a statue of Icarus?
I think I'm going to have to ask Judith about that one as well.... I don't know the answer.
As I can see words inscribed on it, I'd assume it is another award...
Stephen Hawking once said: "I'm obsessed by time. If I had a time machine I'd visit Marilyn Monroe in her prime..."
Lots of guys would. She was quite an attractive woman. She was considered a prime example of feminine beauty by some. Too bad she came to such a tragic and untimely end.
Marilyn affected all men...she had the beauty and she was vulnerable. Men love that....even guys like him.
If Mother Nature is capable of creating an organism (humans) with such an elegant g factor, shouldn't it also apply to the Creator of Mother Nature too?
What applies to the son must also apply to the Father or else we would have chaos.
Happy birthday Dr Hawking. I wish you many more years of aspiring thoughts.
AD'M
Ahhh! the Creator of all things, the One who divided the light from the darkness, the One who lives without time. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, the One who gives us eternal life, and He who is and was and is to come. Revelations 1:8
Yes I agree.
I liked Elvis as well.
I liked Elvis better.
Elvis was also born on the 8th january!
Oh now its just getting spooky!
(cue twilight zone music)
Stephen Hawking could be a happy person, if he would open his heart to the truth.
God said that He is the "Alpha and the Omega, and the Beginning and the ending." Revelations 1:8
Another name for God is, YHWH, "He is what He is", the "I AM".
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God"
Everything that was created, was created by Him. The Word is "Jesus Christ".
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever would believe in Him shall have everlasting life. John 3:16
It does not matter if you believe in the Big Bang, or evolution. God will take you as you are. He will create in you a new person.
So u think he would be happier if he would just put his blinders on and think like you. lol
What a load of cr*p!
Oh, for crying out loud. Can we leave the fairy tales out of this?
Edward - Why on earth would you think Prof. Hawking is unhappy? He's not in the least bit unhappy. I've been fortunate enough to meet with him on several occasions through my studies, and find that he has a very quirky sense of humour, and contrary to what you may think, he's generally a well-centered and genial person.
He's also a professed Atheist, which I'm sure just hacks you off. So am I, by the way, as are most people in scientific academia and mathematics.
The newsvine is not a forum for preaching, please take your preaching to the street corner. If anyone is interested, I'm sure they'll take you up on it.
PoliticalFenceSitter - "He's also a professed Atheist, which I'm sure just hacks you off. So am I, by the way, as are most people in scientific academia and mathematics".
To a logical thinking scientific mind that would mean science and math are biased to a "no god" theory. If there was no more "unknowns" in science and math I could agree with you but your Science and Math Theories are changing daily. What is to say that one day you will see gods signature on something and due to your bias not unlike the bias of an archaeologist who only finds what he wants to find, you will hide or destroy that fact? And what is to say it has not already happened numerous times and according to the oldest texts on our planet you are the anti-christ? Science can explain very little about the human brain and its processes but the scientists have already somehow proven the universe was created out of nothing by an explosion that was created out of nothing? Science has taught us that an explosion must have heat, fuel and Oxygen to happen, but your laughable explination is that in the vacuum of space this non-existant heat, fuel and Oxygen ignited and created all the stars in the Universe and all the plants and animals that live? Sounds like the "Athiest" Scientists have the blinders on, since their theory of the big bang goes against your own laws of combustion.
Zapper45701,
So you do not believe in free speech but you find it necessary to push your beliefs on others who talk about their beliefs? At least the Christians do not tell you what to do constantly, just the fake ones you vote for.
There is a higher power and thats just what it is, power. Its not a human lookalike up in some clouds controlling or watching down on us. There are many other suns with planets much like are own many many light years away with living beings, do they have the same God as we do and why wouldnt they. there are alot of humans on our planet that think they are the greatest living being to ever exist and for that they are very two demensional without any real capability to really understand.
If us humans are all about God and God is all about us, then why on our planet earth which is 8 billion years old and our universe which is who knows how old, then why would God have the total time of us humans on this planet so very very very short. Even the other creatures that roamed the earth did so for millions and millions of years, us humans are only here for not even a blink of an eye. And dont some of you start to say that the human race will be around forever because if you do think that then I dont know what to tell you.
And if you believe that a giant explosion in the vacuum of space nothingness created all the stars & planets and animals and plants when the scientific laws of combustion proves that the non-existant oxygen, fuel and heat could not have combusted... because it did not exist in space vacuum, I dont know what to tell you.
When all the athiest sceintists go to space and create an explosion out of nothing and create billions or trillions of stars and planets, animals, plants & insects or even one single atom I will believe their theory. I thought the purpose of a hypothesis in Science was a starting point or "idea" to prove a scientific fact, not to linger for decades as a hypothesis that is refered to as fact by "scientists" that admit they are athiests. The fact is anyone that knows anything about combustion knows a "big bang" could not have happened in the vacuum of space or a black hole, let alone created everything in the universe out of an "explosion". I havent even seen a grainy video of any explosion creating anything other than smoke and ash.
At first there was nothing inside of nothing inside of nothing and so on that it got so tight and compressed with nothing that it created something. It would be very hard to believe that there could be nothing forever and where did it all start ? where is the true beginning, the very start of it all or has it always been there...what is it/ someone please tell me how the universe was created ...are there walls at the ends of the universe that one would stop at and could go no further.WHAT CAME FIRST..THE UNIVERSE AND ALL OF ITS ENTIRE SPACE OR GOD? Where was god at when he created the universe?maybe in another universe ?
@jabberwockyed
"Math Theories are changing daily." are you kidding me 2+2 still equals 4 and that never changes.
the reason scientist don't believe in a God is because every time some one claimed magic is the answer it turned out to be the wrong answer IE: Zeusmakes the lightning and volcanoesare just a mad God below the ground.
We are done with magic as an answer so dont bring it up again.
I think Stephen Hawking is perfectly happy without the aid of a supernatural being. His eyes are definitely open to the truth, just not to fantasies.
jabberwockyed: And if you believe that a giant explosion in the vacuum of space nothingness created all the stars & planets and animals and plants when the scientific laws of combustion proves that the non-existant oxygen, fuel and heat could not have combusted... because it did not exist in space vacuum, I dont know what to tell you.
That has got to be the most outlandish misrepresentation of big bang theory in history. Before you go attacking a scientific theory, you should first make sure you know what you are talking about. There was no combustion, for cryin' out loud. That is so totally out there that I don't know what to tell you, other than go do some study before you post such nonsense again.
so there was a giant explosion or "bang" without combustion? Please enlighten me.
SH and the last pope actually played nicely together from time to time. Hawking is a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and has often discussed his ideas leaving room for the possibility of God (if he could find any place for one in what he observed in the physical world). Read A Brief History of Time (It won't make you sinful or evil). SH discusses the possbility of God kicking the Big Bang into motion. What could be more similar to going from the vast expanses of nothingness detailed in Genesis into light than a Big Bang?
>jabberwockyed: so there was a giant explosion or "bang" without combustion? Please enlighten me.
Nuclear fission would be one example of a bang without combustion. Do you require further enlightenment?
Jabberwockyd no doubt requires a lot of further enlightenment. A good place to start would be here. Note especially this passage:
The Big Bang did not occur at a single point in space as an "explosion." It is better thought of as the simultaneous appearance of space everywhere in the universe.
The whole point, which jw is missing entirely, is that there was no explosion, hence no combustion.
jw: Go educate yourself, I have neither the time not the inclination to do it for you. There are plenty of references on the Internet, the NASA site being one.
sadmoronsvote2 What could be more similar to going from the vast expanses of nothingness detailed in Genesis into light than a Big Bang?
Ah, but if you read it carefully, Genesis doesn't say that creation sprang from nothingness. It simply says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)" It doesn't really say what he might have created heaven and earth from. Perhaps it was nothingess. Perhaps it was chicken soup. Or maybe the debris from a previous universe that didn't work out - maybe he's still trying to get it right.
Or maybe, just maybe, God had nothing to do with it, because, hey, maybe there is no God. Stephen Hawking has made it quite clear that when he says "God," he's referring to the sum total of the laws that govern the Universe and not some supernatural being that dwells in the sky and who set things in motion. Same for Einstein.
Just because there are many unbelievers in a one true God who also believe in an unprovable theory does not mean a one true God does not exist. For the unbeliever the truth will be known at death and will be most unpleasant. For the believer should they be wrong at death then only disappointment. I personally will choose disappointment over unpleasantness any day. You have the right to voice your ungodly opinion, in turn I have the right to voice my Godly opinion. You do not have the right to belittle me for mine anymore than I have the right to belittle you for yours. To those of you who choose to call me names for my beliefs, well let's just say you never grew past the playground in your maturity.
Ben R,
Um, since you are speaking for Hawking (no disrespect meant to his disease), I thought I'd let you read an excerpt from Hawking's book that I mentioned earlier, A Brief History of Time. It is on this book that I based my comment about Hawkings take on God:
One can imagine that God created the universe at literally any time in
the past. On the other hand, if the universe is expanding, there may be
physical reasons why there had to be a beginning. One could still imagine that
God created the universe at the instant of the big bang, or even afterwards in
just such a way as to make it look as though there had been a big bang, but it
would be meaningless to suppose that it was created before the big bang. An expanding
universe does not preclude a creator, but it does place limits on when he might
have carried out his job!
I am not saying he is not an atheist, I'm just saying he at least considered the prospect of God in his work.
sadmoronsvote2 - "Nuclear fission would be one example of a bang without combustion. Do you require further enlightenment?"
Ok so you are changing the theory to include a giant fission reactor and atoms from uranium instead of the standard vacuum of space? So was it aliens that did this or was it just a big bang out of nothing like we have been told by the experts?
Ben R - "It is better thought of as the simultaneous appearance of space everywhere in the universe"
Thats a nice change from what was written in textbooks... So it makes more sense to you that magically everywhere in the "universe" that according to scientists that did not exist.. every planet, star, animal, plant, insect and conscious thought "simultaneously appeared"... Thats way more believable than the alternatives. Not.
I was just letting you know, jabberwockyed, that there are other ways to release energy than combustion. As of three hours ago, you thought combustion was the only game in town.
Again, >jabberwockyed: so there was a giant explosion or "bang" without combustion? Please enlighten me.
But from reading your posts I can see that there is a level of misunderstanding that is so profound that a few posts will not correct it. If you are looking for accessible physics, try the "Through the Wormhole" series on cable. It is well done and is a good place to start learning about these topics. Then you can work up to lay-oriented books by Hawkings Feynman, etc.
This article is about Stephen Hawking. Too bad that people seem to forget that instead of trying to be control freaks over others.
One of the cosmic curios is the beautiful blown glass Saturn seen front and center, just to the left of the Fonseca Prize. It is the Cosmos Award for Outstanding Public Presentation of Science presented by The Planetary Society. Joy Alyssa Day and I are honored to be the artists chosen to create it, in collaboration with Rick Sternbach of Star Trek production design fame; who commissions us and also crafts the fine base to hold the sculpture. It is the third in what we sincerely hope will be a long, exciting and rewarding series. An honor, indeed. You may see it in detail at glasssculpture.org/awards/planetary-society/ Happy Birthday, Stephen!
Very cool, I've added some of this to the original item. It's strangely fitting that an honor bestowed on Dr. Hawking should do honor to the bestowing organization as well.
Thanks, Alan! Much appreciated. We really look forward to creating these; although they are quite challenging. Making glass so that it actually *looks* like something, especially an object this large, is not as easy as it might at first seem. Friends at JPL supply us with data, so that we may keep to being as accurate as can be. It is for the people who recognize that we travel the extra mile. They see it and apprecieate what it must have taken. Attention to detail is rare in our age. We marvel at the craftsmanship of earlier times but precious few work at that level now. Just knoing that Stephen has it in his office or home (we don't know where it resides) is a source of energy for us. We have touched a great individual and he, previously, us. Some synchronicity, there. That one of our creations can reach the light, so that many may enjoy, is icing on the cake. Thank you, again. BJ
It seems to be the law of the universe,when we truly look around,"BEAUTY FROM CHAOS" Happy Birthday Stephen
What some call chaos seems to me is the point at which things get complicated past the point of one's understanding. For example; 100's of years ago someone looked up at the night sky, saw all of the stars and could discern no order, now we see galaxies as distinct patterns. I'm rather fond of the idea of chaos. Look at a beautiful painting it isn't necessarily neat and orderly, if it were just a straight line on a blank canvas that'd be pretty boring. Cool comment you made.
I feel so blessed just to be alive at the same time as Professor Hawking. Happy Belated Birthday and many many more!! Plus here's to more great wondrous ideas!!!
I second that motion. Prof. Hawking is a brilliant man. Happy birthday! I wish you many, many more! I have 2 questions for Prof. Hawking in a humorous spirit: "If I melt dry ice, can I swim without getting wet?" and "If I'm travelling in a vehicle at the speed of light and I turn my headlights on, would they do anything?" - Stephen Wright
Somehow I think he'd have an answer.
All knowledge comes from asking a question first and interestingly enough, Einstein also asked himself:
"If I'm travelling in a vehicle at the speed of light and I turn my headlights on, would they do anything?"
It was his revalation at his answer that inspired General Relativity to become the theory that changed everything!
I think the more relative question is do I "need" to use my headlights when traveling at the speed of light?
I think you'd get pulled over for speeding
But you can't get pulled over because nothing can go faster than you in order to catch up to you!
Awesome mind and indomitable spirit. Happy birthday Dr. Hawking!
Why is it when an Atheist says anything you say oh how deep and wonderful. But if a Cristian looks at the Heavens and feels such awe, you call us zealots? I study the planets and stars and frankly,it's also a wonderful feeling to see what our creator has done. We should be able to enjoy it without people calling it fairytales. We don't say that about you. We should be able to look at it in our own ways. Idon't call you a crackpot. Just admire it.
"Don't miss the actual miracle in pursuit of a mythical one". Science and technology makes us comprehend the logic behind everything, whereas religion usually asks us not to question things we don't understand. There is lots to be proud of when we are decoding our existence without dogma.
I don't think anyone really cares if "Cristians" [sic] feel awe when you look at the heavens. What is annoying is when you announce that it simply has to be the handiwork of a supernatural creator in a topic or forum that is about science, and particularly when you misuse science (as many often do) to "prove" it.
I suspect the reason why a great many nonbelievers get upset at believers is because of the relentless efforts of religious people to force their creationist beliefs into the science curriculum in schools under the guise of "Intelligent Design" or whatever pseudoscientific camouflage is current at any given time.
So true Ben!
May I ask what you mean when you say, "I study the planets and stars"? Study them in what way?
go ahead and read 4.8 and 4.9 and tell me something
I do know the real truth about all and all of the universe and I wish I could let you others know how I know this but I just simply can not tell any of you because I am just power and it would go against the currents to let you in on it all and we would all be in toal darkness forever .
Ok here it goes...there is no God...I am deeply sorry for those of you that thought there was. BUT THERE IS A HIGHER POWER AND YOU CANT TALK TO IT BECAUSE IT DOESNT THINK LIKE WE DO OR TALK AS WE DO. Does anyone know who Gods parents are? and if you happen to see them can you tell them to give me a call cause their kid is really not doing his job.
bible=fairytales Does anyone know who Gods parents are?
I do. I called them, and they said he's been a very naughty boy. They gave him this whole planet to play with, and look how he mucked it up.
Such a brillant mind. I hope he lives for another 100 years, and figures out the meaning of life and all the other mysteries of the universe(multiverse).
God Bless
Great Documentary of Mahler's 3rd Symphony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bArhdP88dGE
The missing link does not lie buried in the sands of time but rather is alive with full of fire in the heavens above.
Let's just enjoy the majesty of it all whether you are atheist or Christian. We're all people. I chose to think there is a God. Now, with that said I enjoy studying the planets and the universe. It"s awesome. We can all get along, I'm a happy individual and like to read the blogs, but some people get so snippy. Let's enjoy!
E=MC2 is the 2nd most brillant equation ever. The most brillant I learned in 1st grade,0+0=0. I don't pretend to understand the nature of God. I only choose to acknowledge that God exist because of that most simple but brillant equation.Happy Birthday Mr. Hawking.Be thankful for so many years of life when so many others with your disease pass so quickly.Dedicated to my friend,Alan Herman.
One of the marvelous things about Hawking is that a man with one of the greatest minds on the planet also has such a wonderful sense of humor and is so in tune with some of the best of pop culture. Anyone see his appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation? Priceless.
Peace and long life, Prof. Hawking.
I salute you, Mr Hawking. You are among the best of us.
Happy Birthday Prof. Hawking. I hope you have many more. To all the athiests and religious people out there, I think all the facts are not yet in on the universe and its creation. In the bible reading about the creation of Adam and Eve, sounds to me like somewhat of a cloning experiment. There are quite a few references to space ship like aircraft from very early times. If we are the result of cloning it would make our creator our "father". I've read theories of the universe being created from a rip in a parallel universe, certainly a possibility. Also technology from an advanced civilization would look to us like magic. Example: If we could time travel and go back in time and take a person from maybe 8,000 years ago and bring him back here. Then we bring him into a darkened room and said, "Let there be light" and clapped our hands twice. Well, I think you see where I'm going with this. We would be a god in that persons eyes.
Lol, this is cute. I like it cuz it's so silly :)
not as silly as your post...it is more "retarted" than anything. I love to be politically incorrect.
Look how an abacus works.....no Zero.....because Zero doesn't exists. Happy Birthday Steve.
Happy birthday Dr. Hawking.
It's interesting how people will even go to the extent of collapsing someones blog, because they share their Christian viewpoint. That's very mature of you.
Stephen Hawkings must be really proud of you all, for stamping out a viewpoint that does not agree with your theories. That really isn't going to make us go away, it only keeps us going stronger.
In the beginning was God, and He said "Let there be light" and it was good. So let there be the light shed upon other viewpoints rather then the darkness of not allowing others to read a different idea then yours.
Dude, you're butthurt because your post was collapsed? Lighten up and take it as a compliment!
Well, annoying as the Scripture spouting may have been, I don't think his post should have been collapsed. It wasn't inflammatory or insulting.
There's a fine line between annoying and inflaming. Edward is clearly trying to do both by coming on a place like this and spouting his sermonettes. So he succeeded, so what?
Personally he is an inspiration to me as my mother suffered through ALS and succumbed to it after four years. She died from respiratory failure after battling the dreaded disease. Something like 75% of people diagnosed with ALS die within four years of diagnosis. He is one of the more fortunate ones that were able to survive much longer.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHEN
Stephan... when you are gone and you take your rightful place in history along with Einstein, and you will, the question will remain, In this place and time, has the advent of religion retarded the development of the human race to the point to which you are just a normal person living in a world of deprived homo sapiens? That being put aside I wish you a many more happy birthdays.