Starmus La Palma
STARMUS x THE KENNEDY CENTER
Mario Livio, born in 1945, in Bucharest, Romania, is an internationally renowned astrophysicist and best-selling author. He spent 24 years at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which operates the Hubble Space Telescope, contributing significantly to our understanding of cosmology, supernova explosions, black holes, and the emergence of life in the universe. Livio has published over 500 scientific articles and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Livio is also a prolific science communicator, having authored several popular science books, including “The Golden Ratio,” “Is God a Mathematician?,” and “Brilliant Blunders.” His work has earned him numerous accolades, such as the Peano Prize and the International Pythagoras Prize for his contributions to making complex scientific concepts accessible to the public. He frequently appears on television and radio programs, and has given talks at prestigious venues worldwide.
In addition to his research and writing, Livio has been actively involved in public outreach, serving as a science advisor to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and collaborating on projects like the “Hubble Cantata.” His ability to blend rigorous scientific inquiry with engaging storytelling has made him one of the most influential science communicators of his generation.
