World famous astronomer, distinguished University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University Yervant Terzian passed away on November 25 at the age of 80, Armenian Mirror Spectator reported.

Terzian is known for his studies of stellar evolution and the discovery of regions of hydrogen gas between distant galaxies – a finding that indicated the presence of unseen matter in intergalactic space. He is the author or co-author of more than 235 scientific publications and the editor of seven books, including “Carl Sagan’s Universe.”

Last year he got NASA’s Distinguished Public Service Medal, NASA’s highest honor. 

Terzian was born in 1939 in Alexandria, Egypt. He spent his youth in Alexandria and Cairo. At 17 he was admitted to the American University in Cairo. He later continued his education in the United States.