Read It Listen Dr. Stephen Hawking Dr. Stephen Hawking Dr. Stephen Hawking was born exactly 300 years after the death of Galileo. Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942 in Oxford, England. He attended University College at Oxford. He wanted to study mathematics but it wasn't available, so he studied physics. While in college, Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with a disease that slowly weakens all of the muscles in his body. Despite being ill, he went on to get a Ph.D. in physics. Dr. Hawking has researched black holes. His most important discovery so far is that black holes emit X-rays and gamma-rays that can be detected by special scientific instruments. Dr. Hawking is the author of A Brief History of Time and Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays. He continues to give lectures and likes to travel. He is married and has three children. Dr. Hawking can be reached at the following addresses: Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics Silver Street Cambridge CB3 9EW England E-mail: S.W.Hawking@damtp.cam.ac.uk Star Dog icon (looking right) A Question What discovery did Dr. Stephen Hawking make that improved our knowledge of the Universe? Star Dog icon (looking left) Did you know The Answer Show me the Level 2 version of this page. Return to StarChild homepage Return to the StarChild Main Page Go to Imagine the Universe! (A site for ages 14 and up.) Imagine the Universe! The StarChild site is a service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Nicholas E. White (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/ GSFC. StarChild Authors: The StarChild Team StarChild Graphics & Music: Acknowledgments StarChild Project Leader: Dr. Laura A. Whitlock Responsible NASA Official:Phil Newman If you have comments or questions about the StarChild site, please send them to starchild@heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov Privacy Policy and Important Notices