The late cosmologist, author, and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is the subject of an animated Google Doodle on Saturday.
The doodle displays on what would have been the scientist’s 80th birthday, and uses Hawking’s own "voice", with the permission of his family.
The renowned scientist was born on January 8, 1942, and Google's doodle takes a creative look at what was his long life and career via a very brief two-and-a-half minute animation.
From colliding black holes to the Big Bang, Hawking's theories on the origins and mechanics of the universe revolutionised modern physics. His work as an author made the often off-limits field widely accessible to millions of readers worldwide.
“Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free,” says Hawking's computer-generated voice in the animation.
“My goal is simple, it is the complete understanding of the universe.”
Hawking died in 2018 at the age of 76. He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease at age 21.
His daughter Lucy and sons Robert and Tim Hawking granted their approval for Google to use their father's voice for the animation and said they were “delighted that Google has chosen to celebrate our father's 80th birthday with this fabulous Doodle”.
“We also believe he would have found it important to show that he never allowed the challenges of his physical condition to limit his power of expression nor his determination to make an impact on the world in which he lived. We hope that his example offers inspiration and hope globally to all who face great challenges at this difficult time”
Doodler Matthew Cruickshank, who created Saturday's Google Doodle, was visually inspired by the evolution of computer graphics during Hawking’s lifetime. He also used the scientist's rich history of comments and quotations about life in the making of the clip.
“I thought Stephen's extraordinary quotes on life and the universe would make a wonderful short animated film. Not only is animation visual, its fundamentals are built on time and space, subjects that align perfectly with cosmology,” said Cruickshank.
Google Arts & Culture is also celebrating Hawking in a new online exhibition, which can be seen here.
Actor Eddie Redmayne, who played Hawking in the 2014 hit film The Theory of Everything, celebrated his own birthday two days ago.
As part of his 40th birthday celebrations, he joined his dedicated fan base in making a large donation to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The British actor has been a patron of the association since 2015 after staff there introduced him to people living with the disease so he could understand more about it for his Oscar-winning performance as Professor Hawking.
Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
