It is our sad duty to announce that Michael Hillas, a great scientist and founder of modern high-energy astroparticle physics, passed away on November 26, 2017 at the age of 85.
Michael has been a pioneer in many fields of high- and ultra-high-energy cosmic ray research and he has developed key ideas and concepts for gamma-ray observation with imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Last but not least he wrote one of the very first Monte Carlo codes for air shower simulations. Within the Pierre Auger Collaboration, his code MOCCA was used for many studies in the early days and helped to design the Observatory.
Please read about his achievements and life in this obituary that was prepared by colleagues and friends.
