2023-10-13 19:38:57
Quebec astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, who liked to compare humans to stardust, died Friday at the age of 91. He was considered one of the greatest science popularizers of our time.
His son, Benoît Reeves, made the announcement in a message published on Facebook.
Hubert Reeves had been “officially” retired since 1999, but continued his activist activities.
During the last years of his life, he devoted a lot of time to taking stock of the state of the environment and that of humanity which, according to him, should disappear when the sixth great extinction of species occurs.
His approach is the one that I still convey today, it is that the future is not written, explained his son Benoît on the show The 15-18 Friday. That is to say, the future depends on the decisions that are made now. It is not because we are in a catastrophic period that we cannot do anything, but it is time to roll up our sleeves and decide to act before it is too late.
Still on Annie Desrochers’ microphone, Benoît Reeves tells how his father got into popularization with his children.
He trained with us. The first time he took me to see the stars in Laval, he crossed the street to take us to the vacant lot together. I don’t remember what I saw, but I can convey the passion he gave me back then.
Even in 100 years, I will not have time to visit the entire immensity of such a large Universe.
Born in Montreal in 1932, Hubert Reeves studied at the University of Montreal and McGill before obtaining his doctorate in nuclear astrophysics from Cornell University in 1960. He taught cosmology in Europe and America, in the Columbia and Berkeley universities, the University of Montreal and the Free University of Brussels.
A consultant for NASA, he was also director of research at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) of France and scientific advisor to the French Atomic Energy Commission.
With rare humility, Hubert Reeves transmitted his knowledge with humor.
His landmark books, such as Patience in the azure (1981), Stardust (1984) et Latest news from Cosmos (1994) highlight his talent as a communicator by popularizing often very abstract concepts.
Open in full screen mode
Hubert Reeves, October 12, 1982, during the recording of the show Encounteron Radio-Canada television
Photo : Radio-Canada
He has participated in the production of numerous documentaries, including Star Storyteller (2002) et From the big bang to life (2010). His quick wit and sense of formula made him a popular guest on television and radio shows. He also wrote a column in a Quebec daily newspaper.
Open in full screen mode
Hubert Reeves takes part in an anti-nuclear demonstration in Paris in 1995.
Photo: AFP/Getty/Gérard Fouet
Many distinctions
An officer of the National Order of Quebec, he was also a companion of the Order of Canada and commander of the Legion of Honor of France. Also in France, he was named grand officer of the National Order of Merit in 2019.
He received numerous honorary doctorates, including those from the universities of Montreal (1984), Bern (1989), Brussels (1992), Ottawa (2004), Moncton (1991), and Quebec in Montreal (2010). and Sherbrooke (2011).
He is honorary president of Humanity and Biodiversity, a French association whose credo is: Place biodiversity at the heart of our societies.
Did you know?
Since 1999, the asteroid (9631) 1993 SL6 has been named after Hubert Reeves.
Open in full screen mode
Astrophysicist Hubert Reeves
This classical music lover also signed blue planet earth in 2007, a text which was put into song by Diane Dufresne in the album Effusions.
In 2008, he published his autobiography entitled I will not have time. He explains that interest in science comes from curiosity, and that he fell into it from a very young age.
Hubert Reeves said that his talent for popularization came from his grandmother Charlotte, who had a gift for telling stories. She extended the tales with unexpected sequels by modifying rhythm and intonations, to the great pleasure of her grandchildren.
Hubert Reeves is survived by his partner Camille, four children and numerous grandchildren to whom he was very close. One of his works, in 2011, was dedicated to them, The Universe explained to my grandchildren.
For several years he had been living between Paris and his estate in Malicorne, France.
1697229675
#Hubert #Reeves #star #stars #dies