Washington D.C., 27/02/2015 – as published by BBC Trending.

Fans, shocked and saddened by the death of Leonard Nimoy, took to social media on Friday to post tributes to the Star Trek actor and multi-talented artist.

Nimoy’s last tweet, “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP” was published by the 83-year-old actor in the early hours of Monday morning.

The philosophic tweet was retweeted almost 100,000 times and favourited 55,000 times. It became the inspiration for a hashtag #LLAP – for the character Spock’s catchphrase, “live long and prosper.”

Following news of his death on Friday morning, #LLAP was used by over 38,000 people in the space of only a few hours.

Nasa was quick to posted a tweet that was retweeted almost 10,000 times: “RIP Leonard Nimoy. So many of us at NASA were inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go…”

Bobak Ferdowsi, who famously sported a mohawk hairstyle for the Curisoirty Mars landing, wrote: “Thanks, Leonard Nimoy, for inspiring so many of us to pursue a better future. #LLAP .”

Nimoy’s costar in the Star Trek series, William Shatner, issued a remembrance on Twitter.

Fans also tweeted out their admiration.

“RIP @TheRealNimoy my childhood and adulthood was so much richer with your work. #LLAP,” posted @MrKatieCompton.

“God speed to a true master of understatement, eyebrow acting guru and my ear hero. He lived long and prospered. One to beam up. #LLAP,” tweeted screenwriter, and one half of comic duo Larry and George, Laurence Richard.

Tributes on Twitter with photos of the iconic Spock hand gesture were also popular:@SteveStreza posted a photo with the words: “I could never quite do the hand thing. #LLAP” while another, @FoFacy, sent a picture of just their hand saluting the actor with the words: “Good journey, sir. #LLAP”

In addition to acting, Mr Nimoy directed films, published poetry, autobiographies and books of photography and recorded music.

Many also took the chance to post links to his lesser-known work and fan sites which covered a wide range of the actor’s endeavours: “In case you didn’t know this, @TheRealNimoy was a hell of a photographer,” wrote ‏@cindyreddeer, who included a link to some of his photo projects.

The Star Trek actor died of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to his son, Adam.