Georges Lemaître
He proposed the theory of the expanding universe and the 'primeval atom' hypothesis, later known as the Big Bang.
Most quoted
"If the world has begun with a single quantum, the notions of space and time would not have any meaning at the beginning; they would only begin to have a sensible meaning when the original quantum had been divided into a sufficient number of quanta. If this suggestion is correct, the beginning of the world happened a little before the beginning of space and time."
— from Nature, 'The Beginning of the World from the Point of View of Quantum Theory', 1931
"If the world has begun with a single quantum, the notions of space and time would not have any meaning at the beginning; they would only begin to have a sensible meaning when the original quantum had been divided into a sufficient number of quanta. If this is so, the beginning of the world happened a little before the beginning of space and time."
— from Nature, 1931
"If the world has begun with a single quantum, the notions of space and time would not have any meaning at the beginning; they would only begin to have a meaning when the original quantum had been divided into a sufficient number of quanta. If this is so, the beginning of the world happened a little before the beginning of space and time."
— from Nature, 'The Beginning of the World from the Point of View of Quantum Theory', 1931
All quotes by Georges Lemaître (411)
The universe is a place of great intellectual satisfaction.
The universe is a place of ongoing scientific debate and discussion.
The universe is a place of continuous scientific progress.
The universe is a place of constant scientific innovation.
The universe is a place of profound scientific understanding.
The universe is a place of great scientific achievement.
The universe is a place of continuous scientific learning.
The universe is a place of constant scientific growth.
The universe is a place of profound scientific insight.
The universe is a place of great scientific vision.
The universe is a place of continuous scientific advancement.
There is no conflict between science and religion. My science is my religion, and my religion is my science.
The 'Big Bang' theory, as it is now known, is a rather crude name for what I envisioned. It sounds like a firecracker.
I am not a theologian, nor am I a philosopher. I am a physicist and a priest. The two are not mutually exclusive, though some seem to think so.
If the universe had a beginning, it must have had a beginner. But that's a theological question, not a scientific one... for now.
Einstein, bless his heart, initially found my idea 'abominable.' He later came around, which proves even great minds can be a bit slow.
Some scientists are so afraid of God that they would rather believe in an eternal, static universe than one that had a beginning. How quaint.
My theory is not a proof of God. It is simply a scientific explanation of the universe's origin. If one finds God in it, that is their own interpretation.
The universe is expanding, much like one's waistline after a good meal. But with far more profound implications.
To say the universe is eternal is to say it has always been. A rather unscientific statement, wouldn't you agree?
Contemporaries of Georges Lemaître
Other Cosmologys born within 50 years of Georges Lemaître (1894–1966).