fan honor Nimoy with tweets, Vulcan salute 

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Fans honor Nimoy with tweets, Vulcan salute

Updated 1839 GMT (0239 HKT) February 28, 2015

Fans shared touching "live long and prosper" tributes to legendary "Star Trek" actor Leonard Nimoy, who passed away Friday. Alaina Mitchell, a fashion model and physics student in Boston, was one of them. "Intellect harnessed by elegance is so gripping. You are reminded of its rarity and treasure it," she said.

Paul Roth posted a teary-eyed photo, admitting the news hit him a lot harder than expected. "Leonard Nimoy showed a young, nerdy, bullied me that not only could science be important and valued, but it could literally save entire ships, planets, and galaxies of lives."

"As a kid, watching \'Star Trek\' with my dad always reminded me to never be afraid to look to the stars and imagine what is out there. It\'s a main reason why I am a designer," said Cincinnati resident Joe Washington.

Molly Desormeaux, an acting student in Montreal, Quebec, says, "Leonard Nimoy is one of the reasons why I still believe that acting can change people\'s lives."

Neil Macdonald from Widnes, United Kingdom, wrote this about Nimoy: "His gentle nature, intelligence and regard for the world around him was wonderful to see on social media, which he always ended #LLAP."

"Leonard Nimoy taught me to appreciate compassion and empathy, logic and art, both as Spock and as himself," says Kathleen Siegmun of Champaign, Illinois. "He inspired me to go boldly through life and truly experience every moment I will have."

Gwynne Siak from Seattle shares what she takes from Nimoy\'s legacy: "critical thinking, compassion, and on fleek eyebrow and hair game."

"Star Trek and Leonard Nimoy inspired me to be myself, and taught me that no matter what we look like, or our intelligence or anything that makes us different hinders our ability to create a group of friends that will change our lives," says Chelsea Bailey, 22, an administrative assistant and aspiring actress.

"I feel like I\'ve lost a piece of my childhood," says homemaker and mother Patty Burke. "I grew up watching a very logical Mr. Spock and married a very logical man in 1987. My logical husband died in July 2014 and today, a part of my childhood has taken off on a star-filled trip into the galaxy."

Co-stars, science leaders and fans pay tribute to "Star Trek\'s" Leonard Nimoy

Nimoy, best known for his role as Mr. Spock, died Friday at 83

Did you meet Leonard Nimoy? How did he inspire you? Send your tributes to CNN iReport.

In a moment Friday, the social-media debate over whether a dress was white and gold or blue and black was silenced.

Suddenly there was more sobering news. Leonard Nimoy, "Star Trek\'s" beloved Mr. Spock, had died.

The only blue and gold that matter today. #TheDress pic.twitter.com/ggA0WUJfXG

— Dr. Sheldon Cooper (@TheRealSheldonC) February 27, 2015

His co-stars, fellow celebrities and fans reacted immediately with heartfelt tributes.

Longtime friend and co-star William Shatner remembered Nimoy "like a brother."

"I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love." -William Shatner http://t.co/U8ZN98tVYp

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 27, 2015

George Takei wrote, "Today, the world lost a great man, and I lost a great friend. We return you now to the stars, Leonard."

And Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in the recent "Star Trek" movie reboots, said, "my heart is broken."

my heart is broken. i love you profoundly my dear friend. and i will miss you everyday. may flights... https://t.co/WPJmt1X4ox

— Zachary Quinto (@ZacharyQuinto) February 27, 2015

It is with sadness that I heard of Leonard Nimoy's death. I was lucky to spend many happy, inspiring hours with him. He won't be forgotten.

— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) February 27, 2015

The hashtag #LLAP, which stands for "Live long and prosper" and which Nimoy used to sign his tweets, was trending across several social media platforms after the news of his death.

The outpouring on Twitter and elsewhere left no doubt about Nimoy\'s indelible mark on pop culture.

Goodbye, Leonard. You will be greatly missed. #LLAP pic.twitter.com/AcdglYh2by

Leonard Nimoy brought us one of the greatest, noblest characters in the history of American storytelling. Someone find the Genesis planet.

— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) February 27, 2015

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 27, 2015

Nimoy\'s career also inspired some of the most brilliant minds in space and science. NASA posted a 1979 photo of Nimoy and the "Star Trek" cast -- some sporting \'70s leisure suits -- visiting the space shuttle Enterprise.

RIP Leonard Nimoy. So many of us at NASA were inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go... http://t.co/qpeH5BTzQc pic.twitter.com/nMmFMKYv1L

Thank you for inspiring generations of scientists and engineers, Leonard Nimoy. We raise an eyebrow in your honor.

— National Science Fdn (@NSF) February 27, 2015

Leonard, you lived long and prospered, and were an inspiration to me and to millions. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/NESJKvTepm

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) February 27, 2015

— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) February 28, 2015

And then there were the ordinary fans -- Trekkies, aspiring actors and science geeks who related to Nimoy\'s brainy Spock character -- who posted personal messages and remembrances.

Paul Roth, 39, chief information officer at Chesapeake Systems in Baltimore, posted a teary-eyed photo using the #LLAP hashtag.

"Leonard Nimoy showed a young, nerdy, bullied me that not only could science be important and valued, but it could literally save entire ships, planets, and galaxies of lives," he said. "As I grew up, he taught me that reason could be tempered with humor. That learned adults still had more to learn. That feminism and opposing prejudice was vital. And that there is no age too late to reinvent yourself."

Neil Macdonald from Widnes in the United Kingdom wrote on Instagram: "I have been and always shall be your friend."

And, Molly Desormeaux, an acting student in Montreal, Quebec, said: "Leonard Nemoy is one of the reasons why I still believe that acting can change peoples\' lives."

We\'ll give Nimoy himself the last word. The actor, filmmaker and author, who was an active user of Twitter up until his death, shared a final thought Monday that exemplifies the fleetingness and beauty of life.

A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP

— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015

CNN\'s Daphne Sashin and Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this story.

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