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  Patrick Moore, astronomer, broadcaster (1923-2012) (Page 1)

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Author Topic:   Patrick Moore, astronomer, broadcaster (1923-2012)
Kite
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From: Northampton UK
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posted 12-09-2012 07:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kite     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sad news just announced on the BBC is that Sir Patrick Moore has died. RIP.
He "passed away peacefully at 12:25 this afternoon" at his home in Selsey, West Sussex, they said in a statement.

Sir Patrick presented the BBC programme The Sky At Night for over 50 years, making him the longest-running host of the same television show ever.

He wrote dozens of books on astronomy and his research was used by the US and the Russians in their space programmes.

A statement by his friends and staff said:
After a short spell in hospital last week, it was determined that no further treatment would benefit him, and it was his wish to spend his last days in his own home, Farthings, where he today passed on, in the company of close friends and carers and his cat Ptolemy.

Over the past few years, Patrick, an inspiration to generations of astronomers, fought his way back from many serious spells of illness and continued to work and write at a great rate, but this time his body was too weak to overcome the infection which set in, a few weeks ago.

He was able to perform on his world record-holding TV programme The Sky at Night right up until the most recent episode.

His executors and close friends plan to fulfil his wishes for a quiet ceremony of interment, but a farewell event is planned for what would have been Patrick's 90th birthday in March 2013.

Steve Procter
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posted 12-09-2012 07:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Steve Procter   Click Here to Email Steve Procter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sorry to report the passing of the great astronomer and TV presenter at the age of 89.

GACspaceguy
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posted 12-09-2012 07:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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DChudwin
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posted 12-09-2012 07:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DChudwin   Click Here to Email DChudwin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Rusty B
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posted 12-09-2012 07:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rusty B   Click Here to Email Rusty B     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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moorouge
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posted 12-09-2012 08:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for moorouge   Click Here to Email moorouge     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sad news indeed. Patrick and I used to converse quite regularly when I was doing my booklets for the USIS. It was an enjoyable task trying to decipher his scrawl and spot the typos on notes written on his ancient typewriter. I'll never forget the huge encouragement he was in my endeavours.

He'll be greatly missed, not just for his achievements in astronomy but also as one of the UK's great eccentrics.

uk spacefan
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posted 12-09-2012 08:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for uk spacefan   Click Here to Email uk spacefan     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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WAWalsh
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posted 12-09-2012 08:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for WAWalsh   Click Here to Email WAWalsh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sir Patrick reckoned that he was the only person to have met the first man to fly, Orville Wright, the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, and the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. He outlived them all.

Lunar_module_5
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posted 12-09-2012 08:08 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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OLDIE
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posted 12-09-2012 08:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for OLDIE     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I first met Sir Patrick on holiday with a company called Transolar Travel. We were going to witness the launch of Apollo 17.

One of my last meetings was aboard H.M.S. Warrior, in Portsmouth, when there was a Gala Dinner for the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis. He was a great guy, very, very talented, but also very humble. He'll be sorely missed.

jasonelam
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posted 12-09-2012 08:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jasonelam   Click Here to Email jasonelam     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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john ffoulkes
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posted 12-09-2012 08:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for john ffoulkes   Click Here to Email john ffoulkes     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I met Patrick several times and he was a most interesting person to talk to, and somebody who will be sorely missed. RIP Patrick.

Apollo14LMP
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posted 12-09-2012 08:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo14LMP   Click Here to Email Apollo14LMP     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
R.I.P. Patrick Moore.

Only had contact with this great man once he signed some autographs for me and sent me a typed note from his old typewriter.

Very sad news...

Philip
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posted 12-09-2012 09:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Me and my 10-year old son had the privilege to meet him at his home "FarThings" in Selsey - UK. Sir Patrick Moore inspired thousands of people to look up at the night sky... He'll be missed.

R.I.P.

Dave Shayler
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posted 12-09-2012 09:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dave Shayler   Click Here to Email Dave Shayler     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very sad news on the passing of Sir Patrick Moore, a gentleman, and inspiration to thousands around the world.

I fondly recall watching Patrick on BBC TV during the Apollo missions, along with James Burke of course, and not forgetting Peter Fairley on the ITV. The coverage of each mission was wonderful and the enthusiasm from Patrick certainly helped me, as a young teenager become hooked on 'space'.

Though I have a keen interest in the planets, human spaceflight is my passion, and I was over joyed with typed letters from Patrick in response to my questions regarding the Apollo landings. Years later he was kind enough to referee more than one of my book proposals for Springer/Praxis, and we had the chance to meet and chat at a couple of the Autographica events.

Indeed one of the highlights was to introduce Patrick for one of the lectures we organised, and later to arrange for him to meet with several astronauts who were equally pleased to meet him. A great photo opportunity followed and it remains one of the favoured memories from the early Autographica shows.

Without out doubt, whilst still that young teenager a Christmas present of a book by Sir Patrick was part of the inspiration for me to attempt the challenge of authoring my own articles and books. In fact his early 1969/1970 book 'Moon Flight Atlas' was one of the works which sparked my interest in future Apollo missions, but which in the event did not fly. Over 30 years later my book on the Lost and Forgotten Apollo missions was published, inspired from that early suggestion of what might have been.

Thanks to Patrick for providing enough written material to expand to my own space library, and from his regular TV programmes, I felt confident enough to follow his example and write 'about space'. I will be forever thankful for that inspiration and his genuine encouragement in pursuing that goal.

This came full circle about a decade ago when watching an episode of The Sky at Night, broadcast from Patrick's home. As he spoke to the camera, my eye ventured to the shelves behind him, crammed with dozens of books... and just over the great man's shoulder were the recognised spines of more than one of my books - WOW! When I mentioned this to him a short time later at Autographica, along with my appreciation of his space library, he smiled and informed me that indeed he did have "just a few books" on the subject!

I doubt whether I will ever reach the impressive list of titles authored by Patrick but his inspiration from almost 50 years ago means I will keep on trying...

Rest in peace Patrick... you are now amongst the stars you loved for so long... and if you get the chance say hi to Neil from us all...

rjb1elec
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posted 12-09-2012 09:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for rjb1elec   Click Here to Email rjb1elec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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East-Frisian
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posted 12-09-2012 09:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for East-Frisian     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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413 is in
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posted 12-09-2012 09:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 413 is in   Click Here to Email 413 is in     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Gilbert
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posted 12-09-2012 09:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gilbert   Click Here to Email Gilbert     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Scott
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posted 12-09-2012 10:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott   Click Here to Email Scott     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Tykeanaut
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posted 12-09-2012 10:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tykeanaut   Click Here to Email Tykeanaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very sad news indeed. As perhaps with many of us im the UK, he and James Burke were the two faces of the BBC that helped ignite my interest in astronomy and spaceflight.

I wrote to him several times when in my teens and always got a very kind reply typed on his trusty old Woodstock typewriter and signed in person.

God bless Sir Patrick.

onesmallstep
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posted 12-09-2012 10:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for onesmallstep   Click Here to Email onesmallstep     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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robsouth
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posted 12-09-2012 11:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for robsouth     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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issman1
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posted 12-09-2012 11:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for issman1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
End of an era, here in UK.

dom
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posted 12-09-2012 11:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for dom   Click Here to Email dom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I had the pleasure of meeting him three times when I was younger, and it really is difficult to overestimate his influence on turning several generations onto Astronomy. Before the information overload of the Internet his monthly Sky at Night programme was vital viewing for anyone interested in the subject.

RIP Patrick.

gliderpilotuk
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posted 12-09-2012 11:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
An inspiration to me, aged 9 years, 1970 in Chester ...and to thousands of others. An icon of the space age and star of the world's longest running TV series.

Thank you and RIP.

Headshot
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posted 12-09-2012 12:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Headshot   Click Here to Email Headshot     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My deepest condolences from this side of the Pond.

The passing of Sir Patrick Moore is a loss to laymen, amateur astronomers and professional astronomers everywhere. His passing leaves a void that will not be filled in my lifetime.

DChudwin
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posted 12-09-2012 12:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DChudwin   Click Here to Email DChudwin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
An interview with Sir Patrick Moore on July 20 this year about his telescopes and astronomy.

OWL
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posted 12-09-2012 01:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OWL   Click Here to Email OWL     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Such sad news on Sir Patrick Moore's passing. A truly great man that brought astronomy to the masses. I had the privilege of meeting Sir Patrick at his garden party this summer. He will surely be missed.

RIP Sir Patrick.

mach3valkyrie
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posted 12-09-2012 01:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mach3valkyrie   Click Here to Email mach3valkyrie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Blackarrow
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posted 12-09-2012 02:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Inspirational, irrepressible, irreplaceable. This is a sad day for anyone with an interest in astronomy and/or spaceflight. Sir Patrick, thank you so much for opening so many eyes to the wonders above us.

Rick Mulheirn
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posted 12-09-2012 02:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sir Patrick Moore was an inspiration, an institution and a national treasure who will be so greatly missed.

But above all... he was a true gentleman. RIP Sir Patrick.

star61
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posted 12-09-2012 02:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for star61   Click Here to Email star61     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was lucky enough to have regular letters from Patrick as a kid with a passion for Astronomy. On the occasions of meeting him , it was just an absolute pleasure to talk to such a legend. It made one feel part of the whole amazing story of astronomy and spaceflight as it developed in the 60s and 70s. Considering the enormity of the questions, the Sky At Night had such a homely cosy feel to it. Happy memories.

We have lost some iconic people this year and sad as it is, we must count ourselves lucky to have lived in these times. Patrick, Neil, Sir Bernard... unique and truly great human beings.

jut2y
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posted 12-09-2012 03:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jut2y   Click Here to Email jut2y     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very sad day indeed, my wife wrote to Patrick a few years ago as a surprise to me.
I received an invite back typed on that old typewriter of his inviting me to call up and arrange a visit to Farthing's, much to my regret i never pursued it.

RIP Patrick you'll be dearly missed.

dom
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posted 12-09-2012 03:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dom   Click Here to Email dom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
One thing that we shouldn't forget was his great sense of humour and his habit of speaking his mind. The following anecdote from one of his obituaries made me laugh out loud.
Then there was the occasion that he visited Utah with a television crew. "Welcome to the Mormon state," said a humourless citizen. "We are quite different from the rest of America. You will find no swearing or drinking or wild women here."

"It's hardly worth coming, is it?" replied Moore.

lordolsen
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posted 12-09-2012 03:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lordolsen   Click Here to Email lordolsen     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Madon_space
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posted 12-09-2012 04:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Madon_space   Click Here to Email Madon_space     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Jay Chladek
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posted 12-09-2012 08:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Pity I never met the man, but I know so many personally who have and he sounds like a great guy. On this side of the pond, we never really saw any broadcasts of "The Sky At Night". But, I do remember a snippet he did a few years back for a program about the BBC comedy "Red Dwarf" and he explained what a Red Dwarf was. It was informative and hilarious at the same time.

I most certainly cherish the British way of looking at things in the night sky and manned spaceflight. So many of you "get it" while a lot of my own countrymen do not even though we put men on the moon. It sounds to me like Sir Moore had a lot to do with that. Because of that, I can be thankful of his contributions.

randy
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posted 12-09-2012 08:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for randy   Click Here to Email randy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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dss65
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posted 12-09-2012 09:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dss65   Click Here to Email dss65     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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