Peter Higgs dies at 94: A look at the man who shed light on dark matter
Peter Higgs, the Nobel prize-winning physicist who proposed the existence of the Higgs boson, nicknamed the ‘God particle’, passed away at the age of 94. He died on April 8 at his home, according to the University of Edinburgh, where he was professor emeritus. (Image: Reuters)Born on May 29, 1929, in Newcastle, United Kingdom, the renowned physicist, pursued his education at King’s College London, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1950. He later completed his PhD at the University of Edinburgh in 1954. The Edinburgh University in 2012 set up the Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics in his honour. Following his education, Higgs held academic positions at various institutions, including the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London. (Image: Reuters)The God particle explained | In 1964, Higgs proposed the existence of a new particle, now called the Higgs boson. Higgs explained how this particle helped bind the universe together by giving particles, and consequently celestial bodies, their mass. Without this particle, the standard model of physics (the set of equations physicists use to describe the world), which underpins our understanding of the universe, would be incomplete. The existence of this mass-giving field was confirmed in 2012, when the Higgs boson particle was discovered at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. (Image: Reuters)Higgs’ work sheds light on a fundamental cosmic puzzle – how the Big Bang, 13.8 billion years ago, generated matter from nothing. Without ‘the God particle’ (Higgs boson) providing mass, particles wouldn’t coalesce into the tangible matter that surrounds us daily. Because the Higgs boson helps explain where mass comes from, many scientists think it may also offer insights into dark matter and dark energy, which make up about 96% of the universe. (Image: Shutterstock)Why is the Higgs Boson called the God particle? | The nickname came into use largely due to popular media. This association is often traced back to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Leon Lederman, who famously called it the “Goddamn Particle” out of frustration with its elusive detection. (Image: Shutterstock)The Nobel Prize for Physics | Higgs was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2013 for his work in 1964 showing how the Higgs Boson helped bind the universe together by giving particles their mass. Higgs shared the award with F Englert, who independently came up with the same theory. On the day of the announcement, Higgs left home for a quiet lunch. He was on his way home when a former neighbour gave him the news. (Image: Reuters)
