Neon light sculpture of light falling into black hole

The Black Hole Light, by Mark Champkins, presented to Stephen Hawking on his 70th birthday by the Science Museum, in 2012. Cylindrical black stand holding a spiral-shaped neon light.

This illuminated scupture was the 70th birthday present to Stephen Hawking by the Science Museum. It was authored by the then inventor-in-residence Mark Champkins. The sculpture represents the trajectory of light as it falls into a black hole. Black Hole Light remained on display in Stephen's office from 2012 onwards.

Distributed around Stephen Hawking's Office are a selection of items with layers of scientific significance easily missed by the untrained eye. These are toys and gifts that have the closest connection to Stephen's theoretical work: research he was particularly proud of, and which also provided an easy way to illustrate difficult aspects of his theories to visitors.