- Stephen Hawking: Visionary physicist dies aged 76

World renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.

He died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday, his family said.

The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time.

At the age of 22 Prof Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease.

A giant of the modern science world! Transcended his field. Chances are if you don't really know Stephen Hawking the physicist - you know the pop culture icon. Being a frequent guest on The Simpsons probably doesn't top his achievements -- but it speaks to his incredible ability to be an ambassador for science and thinking.

A huge loss for the world. Felt like we should at least acknowledge the passing.

If you're interested in his science, there's a nice video on The Guardian summing some of it up.