Georges Lemaitre (ATV-1)

Georges Lemaître was a Belgian scientist who proposed that the universe is expanding, suggesting it began from a "primeval atom" or "cosmic egg." His groundbreaking idea, developed in the early 20th century, laid the foundation for our understanding of the Big Bang theory. Lemaitre's work connected Einstein's theories of relativity with observational evidence showing galaxies moving away from each other, indicating the universe was once much smaller and denser. This concept revolutionized cosmology by suggesting the universe has a beginning and has been expanding ever since, fundamentally shaping modern our understanding of the cosmos.