Andre Brahic, one of the people who discovered the rings of Neptune, has died aged 73. The Frenchman was one of the team who first spotted the rings in 1984, naming them Equality, Fraternity and Liberty after the motto of the French Republic. In a tribute, French President Francois Hollande said Brahic had known “how to easily explain the mysteries of space”.

Brahic, who was 73, was seen as a key figure in increasing public awareness of research into space. He once said science “could make the eyes of small children light up”. His discovery of Neptune’s rings, along with American astronomer William Hubbard, followed on from his interest in the rings of Saturn.

In his work with the Commission for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies in Paris and as a professor at the University of Paris, he helped carry out research into the solar system through Nasa and European unmanned missions. A minor planet numbered 3488 was named Brahic in tribute to his work. His last book “Universes Elsewhere; Are We Alone” was distributed a year ago.

Neptune is the eighth and the farthest known planet from the Sun in our solar system.It was discovered on September 23, 1846, by a group of scientists at the Berlin Observatory. Neptune’s furthest ring is partitioned into three circular segments to which Brahic gave the names Liberte, Fraternite and Egalite.