During more than four decades of working with the most modern telescopes, every time the image of a distant galaxy appears on the observation screen, a shiver still runs through astrophysicist Trinh Xuan Thuan's body.
It is not only the emotion of a scientist before a new discovery, but also the vibration of a soul that is always amazed by the beauty, harmony and order of the universe. From a Hanoi boy passionate about Einstein to a world-renowned scientist , his journey is a beautiful symphony between passion for science , national pride and a profound philosophy about the connection between humans and the stars.
Road to the stars
Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan was born on August 20, 1948 in Hanoi. The capital of a thousand years of culture seemed to have planted in the boy's soul a special talent for literature. However, when his family moved to Saigon when he was 6 years old, another passion arose strongly: basic science, especially physics. He was fascinated by the laws governing the natural world, and found his great idol in the pages of Albert Einstein.
After graduating from Jean-Jacques Rousseau School (now Le Quy Don High School), young Trinh Xuan Thuan faced a big decision. In 1966, he left Vietnam to study in Switzerland, carrying with him his scientific ambition.
“Although I have a talent for literature, I was also somewhat attracted to science, especially physics. I admired Einstein and his book “The World as I See It” became my bedside book,” Professor Thuan shared.
The journey was not easy. Leaving his family and country, coming to a big world, without much money in his pocket, and not even fluent in English, there were times when he felt discouraged. But with extraordinary will and determination, he overcame everything. After a year in Switzerland, he received scholarships from three prestigious American universities and chose the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the “holy land of world astronomy”, and also the place where his idol Einstein lived and worked. That was the turning point that brought him into the orbit of the pinnacle of science.
Affirming Vietnamese intelligence in the world scientific sky
For more than 40 years, Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan has been immersed in the leading scientific environment at Caltech, Princeton University and NASA Space Center. He is proud of his good fortune to study and work with many great names, Nobel Prize winners in Physics. He calls them "the people who taught him how to think in a new way".
It was that guidance, along with his tireless efforts, that brought sweet results. In 2004, Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan discovered a very young galaxy, which had great significance for the field of space science. His achievements were recognized by the international scientific and cultural community with a series of prestigious awards.
In a world-class scientific environment, Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan always carries within him a deep pride in his origin. He affirmed: “I am Vietnamese. I am proud to be a Vietnamese who has reached the point where I can stand on equal footing with foreigners. Because I am Vietnamese, it gives me strength. That gives me the philosophy to go far on the path of science,” he shared.
The inspirational person from 'infinity in the palm of your hand'
A special feature that makes Trinh Xuan Thuan's portrait is that he is not only an outstanding scientist, but also an author who has the ability to turn dry cosmic knowledge into fascinating literary works. More than 20 of his popular science books, written in French, have been translated into many languages, of which more than 10 are loved by Vietnamese readers such as: "Mysterious Melody", "The Infinite in the Palm of the Hand", "Quantum and Lotus", "Favorite Dictionary of the Sky and the Stars"...
His books were well received because they not only dealt with science, but also discussed the relationship between man and the universe, expressed in poetic language. The French Academy once praised his works as expressing “a complex and subtle view of the universe and the place of man in it by a scientist and a believer”.
His philosophy often revolved around the idea of harmony and order. He believed that the universe was beautiful not only because of the splendor of its nebulae and galaxies, but because of its close connection. That beauty was not far away, it existed right in the close things like a rainbow after the rain, or the beauty of Ha Long Bay. His great inspiration came from William Blake's poem, which became the title of his most famous book, "Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand":
“In a grain of sand, we see the whole universe
In a flower, we see paradise
Hold the infinite in the palm of your hand
And eternity in a moment”.
He explained that humans are actually descendants of the stars, the elements that make up our bodies were born in the hearts of stars billions of years ago. "Understanding humans in the universe, perhaps, is understanding ourselves. Because humans are just a blink of an eye in the evolution of the universe," he contemplated. With that in mind, he wishes to share his knowledge and happiness, to arouse a passion for science, especially with young Vietnamese people.
“First, you have to know what you like.”
Professor Thuan said he has never regretted dedicating his life to astronomy. When he sees the image of a distant galaxy on the screen in the observatory, his body still feels like an electric current runs through it.
“A shiver still runs through my body every time I see an image of a distant galaxy on the screen in the observation room. I am always amazed by the beauty, harmony and unity of the universe,” he shared.
When asked for advice for young Vietnamese people who want to pursue a research career, Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan always emphasizes two things: passion and will.
“First, you have to know what you like and what you are passionate about, then pursue it. Second, you have to have the will. Sometimes when you do something and feel discouraged, you need the will to overcome it and be determined to do what you like,” he said.
He used his own life as evidence. In the early days of living abroad, facing countless difficulties, it was his will that helped him overcome them to achieve his goal. He believed that science is an important part of a country's development, and that igniting the fire of science in the younger generation is an urgent task.
With a lifetime of dedication, Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan not only opened new doors in humanity's understanding of the universe, but also became an icon, a powerful inspiration.
Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan has received many prestigious awards during his career, including: the Moron Prize (2007) of the French Academy for his work "Paths of Light", the Kalinga Prize (2009) of UNESCO for the popularization of science, the Cino del Duca World Prize (2012) of the French Academy and the Legion of Honor (2014) of the French Government. Most recently, he was awarded the Grand Prize of the Francophonie in 2022.
Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/gs-trinh-xuan-thuan-nguoi-tim-vu-tru-trong-hat-cat-post2149042399.html
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