Stephen Hawking hospitalized but comfortable

William Atkins
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 01:42

Science - Space

Although Hawking radiation is only theorized, it has never been seen before, it may be observed with the mission of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, a satellite launched in June 2008 that is searching for gamma-ray flashes brought on by primordial black holes. 

Hawking radiation may also be observed with CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), once it becomes operational now scheduled for no earlier than September 2009.

Hawking is afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a motor neuron disease—a rare degenerative disorder that has nearly paralyzed him and has left  him wheelchair-bound.

The uncurable, fatal disease often claims its victims after only a few years; however, Dr. Hawking has survived it for over forty years.

The Reuters article “Physicist Stephen Hawking - some key facts” provides some background on the professional life of Dr. Hawking.

Dr. Hawking’s website (http://www.hawking.org.uk/) currently states, “Due to very high demand, the website has been simplified to keep the server online. We apologise for the lack of in-depth content, which would normally be available here."

And, adding: "Professor Hawking is comfortable, but will be spending the night in hospital. The Cambridge University Press Office have a statement to this effect, and do not expect to have any further updates until mid-morning tomorrow.”