Hubert Reeves CC GOQ (July 13, 1932 – October 13, 2023) was a distinguished Canadian astrophysicist and a beloved popularizer of science.
He passed away in the French capital on October 13, 2023, aged 91.
Education
Hubert Reeves was born in Montreal on July 13, 1932, and spent his formative years in Léry. He embarked on his academic journey at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, a prestigious French-language college in Montreal. In 1953, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the Université de Montréal.
His thirst for knowledge led him to McGill University, where he completed his Master of Science degree in 1956, focusing on the “Formation of Positronium in Hydrogen and Helium.” This remarkable foundation in physics laid the groundwork for his illustrious career. He furthered his academic pursuits by attaining a PhD degree from Cornell University in 1960.
Career
From 1960 to 1964, he taught physics at the Université de Montréal and worked as an adviser to NASA. He has been a Director of Research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) since 1965.
Awards and recognition
- In 1976, he was made Knight of Ordre national du Mérite (France).
- In 1986, he was made Knight of the Légion d’Honneur (France). He was promoted to Officer in 1994 and to Commander in 2003.
- In 1991, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 2003.
- In 1994, he was made Officer of the National Order of Quebec. He was promoted to Grand Officer in 2017.
- Asteroid 9631 Hubertreeves is named after Reeves: see Meanings of asteroid names (9501-10000).
- In 2011, the Prix Hubert-Reeves was created.
- In 2019, he received the Prix Jules Janssen, the highest award of the Société astronomique de France.
Hubert Reeves Family
Spouse: Hubert Reeves was married to fellow astrophysicist and researcher, Simonne Monet-Chartrand. Simonne Monet-Chartrand was also involved in scientific research and shared Hubert’s passion for the cosmos.
Children: Hubert Reeves and Simonne Monet-Chartrand had at least one child together, a daughter named Valérie Reeves. Valérie, like her parents, has been involved in the field of science and holds a degree in biology.
Hubert Reeves died at the age of 91
Canadian-French astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, who was renowned for his work popularizing space science, died Friday aged 91, his son said in a post on Facebook.
“My whole family joins me in the pain of having to announce that our dear father has gone to join the stars,” Benoit Reeves said.
The history of the universe was Reeves’ life passion—he famously said that “to look far is to look early,” evoking the concept of space-time—and he was also an ardent defender of planet Earth.
Hubert Reeves films
Hubert Reeves, the distinguished astrophysicist and science communicator, has contributed to several films and documentaries that aim to popularize science and explore the wonders of the cosmos. While he is more widely known for his books, lectures, and television appearances, here are a few films and documentaries in which Hubert Reeves has played a part:
- “Hubert Reeves: The Man and the Universe” (1988): This documentary provides an intimate portrait of Hubert Reeves and his passion for astrophysics. It delves into his life, work, and his role as a science communicator.
- “The Sky at Night” (TV Series): Hubert Reeves made guest appearances on the long-running BBC astronomy series “The Sky at Night,” sharing his insights into various cosmic phenomena and the latest developments in astrophysics.
- “Earth from Above” (2004): While not a film, Hubert Reeves lent his voice and expertise to this documentary television series, which explores the beauty and fragility of our planet from an environmental and scientific perspective.
- “The Inexplicable Universe: Unsolved Mysteries” (2012): This Great Courses series, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, features Hubert Reeves as a guest lecturer, sharing his knowledge and insights on a range of cosmic mysteries and astrophysical phenomena.
- “Planet Science” (2004): In this educational documentary series, Hubert Reeves contributes his expertise to help viewers better understand the science behind the Earth’s natural phenomena and its place in the cosmos.
Hubert Reeves Famous Quotes
Hubert Reeves, the renowned astrophysicist and science communicator, left behind a treasure trove of insightful and thought-provoking quotes that reflect his deep passion for science and the natural world. Here are some of his most notable quotes:
- “Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible Nature. Unaware that this is Nature he’s destroying is this God he’s worshipping.”
- “The future of our planet depends on our understanding of the world around us, on the development of science and the wise use of its discoveries.”
- “The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.”
- “We can say that all together we can make a world of difference, each in our own field of interest. Let us make this century the century of the environment!”
- “Science teaches us humility in the face of the cosmos. We’re small, and we need to take care of our tiny planet.”
- “Science should be shared with the world because it’s part of our culture. We must make it attractive so people will be interested in it.”
- “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.”
- “When I hear about the destruction of a species, I feel like I’m losing a friend. Man has an obligation to save life on Earth.”
- “We need to understand that the environment is not an option; it’s a necessity.”
- “We’re made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”
- “Science is not the opposite of art; it’s a key ingredient in art.”
- “The most important voyage you will ever take is the journey within yourself.”
