9 Dec 2012

RIP Patrick Moore

Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore, (4 March 1923 – 9 December 2012) was an English amateur astronomer who attained prominent status in that field as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter.
Moore was a former president of the British Astronomical Association, co-founder and former president of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), author of over 70 books on astronomy, and presenter of the world's longest-running television series with the same original presenter, The Sky at Night on the BBC. As an amateur astronomer, he became known as a specialist on observing the Moon and creating the Caldwell catalogue; he was involved in the lunar mapping used by the Apollo program. Idiosyncrasies such as his rapid diction and monocle made him a popular and instantly recognisable figure on British television.
He holds the Guinness world record for the longest continuous tenure as presenter of a single television programme, having presented The Sky At Night from 24 April 1957 until his death, over 55 years.
Moore was also a self-taught xylophone and piano player, as well as an accomplished composer and a former amateur cricketer, golfer and chess player. In addition to his many popular science books, he wrote numerous works of fiction. Moore was an opponent of fox hunting, an outspoken critic of the European Union and served as chairman of the short-lived anti-immigration United Country Party. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II; his fiancée was killed by a bomb during the war and he never married or had children. Source/Wikipedia

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