The Most Famous Cosmologist, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the cosmologist you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 2, 2024 07:04

In the infinite expanse of the universe, the mysteries of space and time compel humanity's curiosity. Cosmologists delve into these enigmas, piecing together the cosmic puzzle that shapes our understanding of the cosmos. A ranking of the most renowned cosmologists provides a snapshot of those whose theories and discoveries drive our cosmic comprehension forward. Such a list not only celebrates the achievements of these brilliant minds but also serves as a guide for enthusiasts eager to learn about the pioneers on the frontier of astrophysics. By casting a vote, users help highlight the influential figures whose work has had profound impacts on our understanding of the universe. This dynamic interaction fosters a community of engaged individuals passionate about the cosmos.

Who Is the Most Famous Cosmologist?

1

77
votes
NASA · Public domain

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking is perhaps the most famous cosmologist of all time. He was a British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who made groundbreaking contributions to the study of black holes and the origins of the universe. He is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Stephen Hawking in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous disabled athlete
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous PhDs
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Atheist
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous Brit
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous astronomer of all time
2

29
votes
Norwegian University of Science and Technology · CC BY-SA 2.0

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Joe Rogan

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator who is known for his popularization of science. He has hosted numerous TV shows, including NOVA scienceNOW and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.
The Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Guest: Neil deGrasse Tyson

Episode Number: 1159

Release Date: March 7, 2019

Duration: 3 hours and 8 minutes

Topics Discussed: Science, astrophysics, space exploration, philosophy
Neil deGrasse Tyson in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous astrophysicist
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous living scientist
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous PhDs
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Atheist
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous astronomer of all time
3

22
votes
NASA/JPL · Public domain

Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan was an American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. He was a pioneer in the field of astrobiology and made significant contributions to the study of planetary science. He is perhaps best known for his popular science book, "Cosmos."
Carl Sagan in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous astrophysicist
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous NASA scientist
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous astronomer of all time
4

6
votes

Robminchin · CC BY-SA 3.0

Martin Rees

Martin Rees is a British cosmologist and astrophysicist who is known for his contributions to the study of dark matter and dark energy. He has served as the president of the Royal Society and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
5

12
votes
Kurt Raschke · CC BY 2.0

Brian Greene

Brian Greene is an American theoretical physicist and cosmologist who is known for his work on string theory. He has written several popular science books, including "The Elegant Universe" and "The Fabric of the Cosmos."
Brian Greene in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Brian
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous astrophysicist
6

18
votes

Nomo michael hoefner http://www.zwo5.de · CC BY 3.0

George Smoot

George Smoot is an American astrophysicist and cosmologist who is known for his work on the cosmic microwave background radiation. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006 for his contributions to the study of the early universe.
7

11
votes
Festival della Scienza · CC BY-SA 2.0

Lisa Randall

Lisa Randall

Lisa Randall is an American theoretical physicist and cosmologist who is known for her work on extra dimensions and dark matter. She is a professor of physics at Harvard University and has written several popular science books, including "Warped Passages" and "Knocking on Heaven's Door."
Lisa Randall is a prominent theoretical physicist known for her contributions to particle physics and cosmology. She is a leading expert in the field of extra dimensions and has made significant advancements in understanding the nature of the universe. Her work has revolutionized our understanding of the fundamental forces and the structure of matter.

Research focus: Particle physics and cosmology

Notable contributions: Advancements in understanding extra dimensions, the nature of the universe, and fundamental forces

Field: Theoretical physics

Education: PhD in theoretical particle physics from Harvard University

Professorship: Professor of Theoretical Physics at Harvard University
Lisa Randall in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful scientist
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous female physicist
8

6
votes

Physicistjedi at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Max Tegmark

Max Tegmark is a Swedish-American cosmologist and theoretical physicist who is known for his work on the multiverse hypothesis and the mathematical universe hypothesis. He is a professor of physics at MIT and has written several popular science books, including "Our Mathematical Universe."
9

14
votes

Betsy Devine aka Betsythedevine · CC BY-SA 3.0

Alan Guth

Alan Guth is an American theoretical physicist and cosmologist who is known for his work on cosmic inflation. He is a professor of physics at MIT and was awarded the Fundamental Physics Prize in 2014 for his contributions to the study of the early universe.
10

8
votes

Copyright holder releases per ticket · CC BY-SA 3.0

Andrei Linde

Andrei Linde is a Russian-American theoretical physicist and cosmologist who is known for his work on cosmic inflation. He is a professor of physics at Stanford University and was awarded the Kavli Prize in 2014 for his contributions to the study of the early universe.

Missing your favorite cosmologist?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for famous cosmologist

Scientific contributions

The impact and importance of their research and discoveries in the field of cosmology.
Publications and awards

The number and quality of scientific publications, as well as any prestigious awards or honors received.
Influence on the field

Their influence on the growth and development of cosmology as a discipline, including their role in mentoring other cosmologists.
Popularity and public awareness

The level of awareness and recognition among the general public, including media appearances, public lectures, and popular science writings.
Historical significance

Their impact on the history of cosmology, including their contributions to major scientific breakthroughs and paradigm shifts.
Collaborations and interdisciplinary work

Their collaborations with other scientists in related fields, and their ability to integrate ideas from different disciplines into their work.
Personal charisma and leadership

Their ability to inspire and lead other researchers, and to communicate complex scientific ideas to a broad audience.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous cosmologist. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or cosmologist is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1906 views
203 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each cosmologist once every 24 hours. The rank of each cosmologist is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous cosmologist

When it comes to the field of cosmology, there are many brilliant minds that have made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe. However, if we were to ask who the most famous cosmologist is, there is one name that is likely to come up time and time again: Stephen Hawking. Hawking was a renowned physicist and cosmologist whose work on black holes and the origins of the universe revolutionized the field of cosmology. He authored numerous books on the subject, including the best-selling "A Brief History of Time," which made complex concepts accessible to the general public. Hawking was not only known for his groundbreaking research, but also for his ability to communicate scientific ideas to a wider audience. He was a frequent guest on television shows and in documentaries, and his appearances in popular culture helped to make him one of the most recognizable figures in science. Despite his passing in 2018, Hawking's legacy in the field of cosmology lives on. His contributions to our understanding of the universe continue to inspire scientists and laypeople alike, and his name remains synonymous with the study of the cosmos.