As part of the memorial ceremonies for Stephen Hawking (8 January 1942 – 14 March 2018), the European Space Agency beamed a message of peace into space, featuring the music of pioneering synthesist Vangelis and the words of Hawking.
Vangelis, who wrote music for Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire as well as the Cosmos: A Personal Voyage scientific documentary series, crafted the six-minute tribute piece; it features a message of peace and hope from Hawking.
The ESA beamed the music towards the 1A 0620–00 black hole from its ground station in Spain. The black hole is around 3,500 light years away.
“It is fascinating and at the same time moving to imagine that Stephen Hawking’s voice together with the music by Vangelis will reach the black hole in about 3500 years, where it will be frozen in by the event horizon,” said Prof Günther Hasinger, ESA’s Director of Science.
You can listen to the message via the embed below or via the BBC site.
good company to be in
Very beautiful and very moving piece. And the words by Hawking are
inspiring and eternal…
I may not understand any of Stephen Hawkings’ work, but this combination of words & music is both inspirational and universal.
RIP. A great man and a great mind
Would be a good thing if the revenues of this music be used to aid in muscular diseases or any other charity Hawkins may have chosen.
The synthetized voice is ridiculous.
Are you being serious? Are you for real?
“Be brave. Be determined. Overcome the odds. It can be done.”
(fights back tears)
I expected it to be good, but no, this is spectacular, I’m delighted to hear Vangelis still being able to channel music this beautiful!
divine stuff