The night sky has lost one of its most eloquent voices! Hubert Reeves, astrophysicist and science popularizer, died on October 13, 2023 at the age of 91. He passed away peacefully, returning to the stars he so passionately studied and explained to the general public. Born in Montreal in 1932, Hubert Reeves was an eminent expert in the exploration of the cosmos, having begun his career studying atMcGill University in Montreal, then earning his PhD in nuclear astrophysics atCornell University in 1960. His impact extended beyond the borders of his native nation, establishing academic and professional roots in France, where he was director of research at the CNRS and advisor to the French Atomic Energy Commission.
For the general public, Hubert Reeves was not only a seasoned scientist but also a celestial storyteller, skilfully building bridges between the complexities of the stars and human curiosity. Author of Poussières d'étoiles (1984), and numerous other works, he had that rare ability to bring science into dialogue with people's everyday lives, democratizingastrophysics with a generosity and passion that marked his peers and readers alike. His well-known quote, reminding us that we are all made of stardust, elevates our understanding of human existence in the grand context of the universe.
A pioneer in his field, Hubert Reeves has delved into the distant past of our universe, exploring the genesis of the elements and the mysteries of the stars. His work with Jean Audouze on the creation of light elements in space and his contributions tonuclear astrophysics not only sculpted his own legacy, but also shaped the discipline as a whole. His career in teaching and research, notably as a scientific advisor to NASA, and his years of teaching in Montreal, were formative milestones, not only for him, but for the entire scientific community involved in space exploration.
Despite his eminence in the academic world, it was perhaps in his second career as a popularizer thatHubert Reeves found a particular resonance with the public. Despite initial rejections of his work by publishers, his manuscript Patience dans l'azur was finally published in 1981, catapulting the scientist into the spotlight and into the hearts of the public, becoming a beloved figure in media and academic circles for his ability to illuminate the mysteries of space. Hubert Reeves was not only a renowned astrophysicist, but also a poet of the cosmos, who skilfully blended science and wonder, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to shine through the stars he so adored.
