Until the early 2000s, Hubert Reeves regularly visited the astrophysics department of the University of Montreal. Astrophysicist Robert Lamontagne remembers with pleasure his discussions with “Hubert”.
“He made remarkable scientific contributions to astrophysics in the 1960s and 1970s,” explains Mr. Lamontagne. Then, he began a career as a popularizer and inspired many young people to become astronomers. A scholarship in his name still helps young people to pursue higher studies in astronomy. »
40 years ago, the English-speaking world had popularizing astronomers, like Carl Sagan. “But in French, there was no one,” said Mr. Lamontagne. He filled that niche and became a big star. He was interested in music and literature. It gave him a rather particular style, he spoke of the cosmos with poetry. »
His support has facilitated major projects in the field in Quebec, for example the Mont-Mégantic Observatory, according to Mr. Lamontagne. “He was not directly involved in the projects, but he wrote letters of support. His name had importance. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BERNARD MALENFANT
Hubert Reeves during an astronomy festival at the Mont-Mégantic Observatory in 1985
Astronaut David Saint-Jacques was keen to testify by email: “I had the privilege of meeting Hubert a few times, who was a youth hero. He was an intellectual giant, a spirit both scientific and poetic, humble, generous and passionate. He came into my life as a teenager when my parents gave me Stardust. Like so many other readers, Hubert opened my mind to the beauty of the universe, and I will always be grateful to him. »
PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY SITE
Astronaut David Saint-Jacques in the International Space Station in 2019
How do his more environmentalist books, like Earth Sickness, were they perceived by his fellow astronomers? “When we are interested in the universe, it is normal to be interested in the future of our planet, in its health,” says Mr. Lamontagne. He wasn’t the only one among us with these concerns. »
The outgoing president of the French Astronomical Society, Éric Lagadec, of the Côte d’Azur Observatory, for his part declared that Hubert Reeves “made this little planet lost in the universe more pleasant” and hailed “a guide, an example, an exceptional person”.
Amateur astronomy
“We are losing the most important figure in amateur astronomy of the last 50 years,” said Jasmin Robert, director of the Federation of Amateur Astronomers of Quebec (FAAQ).
He’s really the equivalent of Carl Sagan for us. Many of our members from the 1980s and 1990s became amateur astronomers because of him.
Jasmin Robert, director of the Federation of Amateur Astronomers of Quebec (FAAQ)
Mr. Robert considers it “striking” that Mr. Reeves died on the eve of a partial eclipse visible in Quebec (Saturday noon). “It’s one of the most famous astronomical phenomena, it’s a beautiful coincidence. »
René Doyon, director of the Mont-Mégantic Observatory since 2007, knew Hubert Reeves when he was a student. “He came back for a month to give conferences and symposia at the University of Montreal. It was always very popular. »
Mr. Reeves has always supported Mr. Doyon’s observatory. “At one point, in 2014, we were having financial difficulties and he supported us in the media. It was decisive. He is the moral father of us all. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BERNARD MALENFANT
The telescope made at age 14 by Hubert Reeves
Mr. Reeves also donated his first telescope, which he made himself at the age of 14 with materials found in the family garage, to the Astrolab, the interpretation pavilion of the Mount Observatory. Mégantic.
Bernard Malenfant, founding president of Astrolab, spent a lot of time with Hubert Reeves over the years. “He gave us $20,000 during the Astrolab fundraising campaign and agreed to be a sponsor of the fundraising campaign. » Mr. Malenfant knew him in 1982, when the Reeves children had spent a summer working at the observatory where Mr. Malenfant was a technician, then more in 1985, during a popular astronomy festival that he organized at the observatory.
Tributes
On social networks, personalities wanted to pay tribute to Hubert Reeves.
Quebec today loses an outstanding popularizer, a renowned astrophysicist. Hubert Reeves knew how to find the words to make us understand humanity and infinity. He leaves today as he came, in stardust.
Prime Minister François Legault
Liberal MP Madwa Nika-Cadet, for her part, hailed “a man of humanity as vast as the confines of the Universe”, while PQ MP Joël Arseneau spoke of “a beacon for humanity”. “a star in the firmament of the greats of this world, a wise man and a great Quebecer”.
“Quebec today loses an astrophysicist who enormously advanced the scientific knowledge of humanity,” said Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois.