Scientists who revealed "strange and wonderful" universe win Nobel prize
From revealing the wonder of the evolution of the universe, to discovering planets orbiting distant suns, three scientists who changed the way we view the cosmos have been awarded this year's Nobel Prize for Physics.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ROYAL SWEDISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES SECRETARY GENERAL, GORAN K. HANSSON, SAYING:
"...one half to James Peebles for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology, and the other half jointly to Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz for the discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star."
In splitting the $910,000 prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has on Tuesday (October 8) recognized both theoretical and physical discoveries.
Using theoretical tools and calculations, Canadian-American cosmologist Peebles was able to interpret trace radiation from the very infancy of the universe - almost 14 billion years ago.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MEMBER OF THE NOBEL COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR ULF DANIELSSON, SAYING:
"James Peebles realized the importance of cosmic radiation. Over the next two decades he developed new theoretical tools and used them to uncover the dark components of our universe."
Speaking via telephone at the announcement, Peebles, of Princeton University, thanked the academy for the award, but added that such prizes should not be the motivation for young scientists.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NOBEL LAUREATE, JAMES PEEBLES, SAYING:
"The awards and prizes and awards, they are charming, very much appreciated, but that's not part of your plans. You should enter science because you are fascinated by it."
In 1995, Swiss scientists Mayor and Queloz made the first discovery of an exoplanet - a planet orbiting a star other than our sun.
That triggered a revolution in astronomy, the academy said. Over 4,000 planets have since been found in the Milky Way.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MEMBER OF THE NOBEL COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR ULF DANIELSSON, SAYING:
"This year's Nobel laureates in Physics have painted a picture of a universe far stranger and more wonderful than we ever could have imagined. Our view of our place in the universe will never be the same again."
