Dr. George Smoot, a celebrated Nobel laureate renowned for his pioneering research into the origins of the universe, has passed away at the age of 80. He died on September 18, 2023, in Paris from a heart attack, as confirmed by a statement from UC Berkeley, where he had a distinguished career.
Groundbreaking Contributions to Cosmology
Dr. Smoot gained international recognition alongside his colleague John Mather from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center when they were awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics for their discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation. This critical finding provided substantial evidence for the Big Bang theory, which posits that the universe originated approximately 14 billion years ago in a rapid cosmic expansion.
After earning a PhD in particle physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970, Smoot joined the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. There, he led a research team that created intricate maps of the early universe, revealing minute temperature variations in the cosmic microwave background. According to Mike Witherell, the lab’s director, these fluctuations eventually evolved into the galaxies observed today.
In a tribute, Witherell noted, “Dr. Smoot spent a distinguished career uncovering the secrets of the universe.” His research not only earned him accolades but also inspired future generations of scientists.
A Lasting Impact Beyond Science
Utilizing $500,000 from his Nobel Prize winnings, Dr. Smoot established the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics at UC Berkeley. He remained an active figure in science until his retirement from the Berkeley Lab in 2014. Post-retirement, he traveled extensively and developed a keen interest in the impacts of climate change.
Dr. Smoot’s contributions extended beyond academia. He made cameo appearances as himself in the popular CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, showcasing his engaging personality. Notably, he also won the top prize on the Fox television game show Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? in 2009.
In addition to his research and public engagements, Smoot taught at the Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory in Paris. The APC Lab honored him with an online tribute, stating, “We will remember him as a larger-than-life character, with a broad range of interests beyond the discoveries for which he is best known.”
Dr. Smoot is survived by his sister Sharon Smoot Bowie of New London, New Hampshire, two nieces, and his partner, Nóra Csiszár, also of Paris. His passing marks the loss of a brilliant mind whose work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of the universe.