Sunday, January 8, 2006

Spotlight
Stephen Hawking, the author of A Brief History of Time and The Universe in a Nutshell, turns 64 today. One of the world's leading theoretical physicists, Hawking has specialized in the study of black holes, the Big Bang and the universe. With his concept of Hawking radiation, he first showed how gravity, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics are related. In spite of his severe physical disabilities due to ALS, Hawking continues to teach as the Lucasian professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge.

Quote
"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road." – Stephen Hawking

Today in History

• Battle of New Orleans: US defeated the British in the final battle of the War of 1812, after a peace treaty was signed (1815)
• 14 Points: Woodrow Wilson presented his plan for post-WWI peace in Europe (1918)
• Music City Miracle: controversial pass won an NFL post-season game for the Tennessee Titans (2000)

Today's Birthdays

• Soupy Sales: comedian (80)
• rock musicians: Elvis Presley, the King (1935-1977); David Bowie (59)
• R. L. Stine: writer of the Goosebumps series (63)

Word of the Day
 cosmology: the branch of astrophysics that studies the universe and how it may have begun; much of Hawking's research is in theoretical cosmology.   (© )