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The Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Plenary Session on Science and Sustainability, programme brochure, signed with right thumb-print of Stephen Hawking on page no.10 beside his photograph, with authentication inscription "This is the right thumb-print of Professor Stephen Hawking witness by Steve Grocutt 28-11-2016", 8 ff., 11.5 x 8.25 in (29.7 x 21 cm), Vatican City, 25-29 November 2016; plus a letter of authenticity signed by Stephen Grocutt; plus an Order of Service of Thanksgiving for Professor Steven Hawking, Westminster Abbey, 15 June 2018, in original wrappers; together with 6 others, ephemera relating to the Plenary Session and Hawking, together all items in a smart wooden box measuring 12.5 x 12.5 x 4.75 in (32 x 32 x 12 cm), laser etched on top "STEPHEN HAWKING / 8 JANUARY 1942 - 14 MARCH 2018 with the equation S = (ℼAkc³) / (2hG), which is one of his most famous and seminal work that explains the concept of Hawking radiation.

Before Hawking died at 76, he had already made clear what he wanted on his gravestone what is known as Hawking's equation - which contains all of the most important parts of his most important discovery. The equation is one of his most famous and seminal work which explains the concept of Hawking radiation.

His tombstone actually reads: HERE LIES WHAT WAS MORTAL OF STEPHEN HAWKING 1942-2018.
S = (ℼAkc³) / (2hG)

Black holes weren't completely black. Instead, they released a light called Hawking radiation. It helped us grasp not just more about black holes, but also how the cosmos expands and changes over time - all in a few letters. The letter "T" refers for temperature, while the letter "h" stands for Planck's constant, which is used to explain some aspects of quantum physics. The "c" represents the speed of light, as defined by Einstein's famous formula. Then there's "8 Pi", which helps us comprehend that it's spherical. To comprehend gravity, the "G" is Newton's constant. The "M" represents the black hole's mass. The "k" represents Boltzmann's constant, which is the energy of gas particles.

The title of this Plenary Session of the Academy was, Impacts of Scientific Knowledge and Technology on Human Society and its Environment. Professor Stephen Hawking gave a paper entitled, The Origin of the Universe during the Special Session on Friday 25th November 2016. Stephen Grocutt was a member of Stephen Hawking's private healthcare team from 2015-2017, travelling with him around the world. So he has authenticated Mr Hawking's thumb print. Also included alongside a letter of authenticity signed by Stephen Grocutt is a photograph of Mr Grocutt together with Professor Hawking in London on the evening of his BBC Radio 4 Reith Lecture on blackholes.

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is an academic institution in Vatican City that was established in 1936 by Pope Pius XI. It is responsible for promoting the study of science and supporting research in various fields, with a focus on interdisciplinary and ethical considerations.

In November 2016, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences held a Plenary Session on Science and Sustainability, which aimed to explore the relationships between science, technology, and sustainability in the context of environmental challenges facing the world. The session brought together experts from various fields, including science, philosophy, theology, and economics, to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to sustainability.

As part of the session, a programme was produced that outlined the schedule and topics of discussion. It featured a keynote address by Professor Stephen Hawking, renowned physicist and cosmologist who was known for his contributions to the study of black holes and the origins of the universe.

The program brochure was signed with the right thumb-print of Stephen Hawking, who was one of the speakers at the event.

Hawking's thumb-print was used as a signature due to his physical disability which affected his ability to write by hand. The inclusion of his thumb-print is a unique and significant addition to the program brochure.

Overall, the 2016 plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on Science and Sustainability was a significant event that brought together leading thinkers and experts from various fields to discuss important issues related to the future of our planet. Pontifical Academy of Sciences continues to play an important role in promoting scientific research and education, and in facilitating dialogue between the scientific community and the Catholic Church. The inclusion of Stephen Hawking as a keynote speaker added to the prestige of the event, and his thumbprint signature on the programme makes this lot a unique and valuable collector's item.