'May you keep flying like superman in microgravity': Tributes from around the globe pour in for Stephen Hawking

British scientist Stephen Hawking gives a lecture at the Bloomfield Museum in Jerusalem on Dec. 10, 2006. Menahem Kahana /AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON — Tributes from around the world began to pour in Wednesday for Stephen Hawking, one of the world’s most famous scientists, who died age 76.

Hawking, an intellectual giant who became an international symbol the power of the human mind, died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, England.

The celebrated British physicist probed the mysteries of the cosmos and helped to popularize science with books like “A Brief History of Time,” an international bestseller.

When he was just 21, he was diagnosed with a rare form of motor neuron disease and told by doctors he had only a few years to live. His illness left him unable to move a muscle and he could only talk with the help of a voice synthesizer.

On Wednesday morning, “Stephen Hawking” was trending worldwide on social media.

NASA, the U.S. space agency, tweeted: “His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014.”

Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5

— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018

The founder of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee said: “We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit.”

We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking. https://t.co/ectv7r4UIm

— Tim Berners-Lee (@timberners_lee) March 14, 2018

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted: “Genius is so fine and rare. Goodbye Professor Hawking. You inspired and taught us all.”

Genius is so fine and rare. Goodbye Professor Hawking. You inspired and taught us all. pic.twitter.com/9Drdnv2eEe

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) March 14, 2018

Cambridge University tweeted one of Hawking’s memorable quotes.

"Look up at the stars and not down at your feet" - Professor Stephen Hawking
1942-2018 https://t.co/h8uWznhEpbpic.twitter.com/RVeQx2BTxP

— Cambridge University (@Cambridge_Uni) March 14, 2018

“We lost a great one today,” wrote Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft.

We lost a great one today. Stephen Hawking will be remembered for his incredible contributions to science – making complex theories and concepts more accessible to the masses. He’ll also be remembered for his spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain a complet…https://t.co/z1du859Gy2

— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) March 14, 2018

The astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said his passing had “left an intellectual vacuum.”

His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018

Hawking also was a cultural phenomena, appearing on shows like The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory as well as an episode Star Trek: The Next Generation in which he played poker with actors portraying Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton. Films were also made about his life, including “The Theory of Everything,” which saw Eddie Redmayne win an Oscar for his portrayal of Hawking.

In loving memory of Stephen Hawking. It was an honor to have him on The #BigBangTheory. Thank you for inspiring us and the world. pic.twitter.com/9rWoYqIToy

— The Big Bang Theory (@bigbangtheory) March 14, 2018

I just heard about Stephen Hawking's passing. He was both a genius and my favorite Simpsons character. We'll miss you, buddy.

— Macaulay Culkin (@IncredibleCulk) March 14, 2018

Hawking was also known for his wit and sense of humor. Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at Harvard, recalled that when he gave lectures he would add in jokes even when it was difficult for him to speak.

I recall when we has giving lectures and it was a huge effort for him to speak (before the tracheotomy and the computer voice) he still made the effort to throw jokes in. That says something.

— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) March 14, 2018

He also noted an extra significance of the date.

Stephen's death came on Albert Einstein's 139th birthday. Just thought you'd like to know.

— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) March 14, 2018

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