Sir Patrick Moore 1923-2012
Patrick’s BBC programme The Sky at Night first aired in 1957, and in recent decades numerous OU academics have appeared as guests. The most recent edition of Sky at Night featured the OU’s Dr David Rothery.
Patrick was a well-wisher of the OU, and appeared on at least two programmes: Live from Mars (1997), a live broadcast carrying the first pictures from the surface of Mars for nearly 20 years, and OU/BBC co-production Destination Titan last year. Many of us had vigorous discussions with him, particularly over his "blimpish" political views, and enjoyed convivial food and drink with him at his house in Sussex.
After wartime service in the RAF, Patrick became a school teacher and developed his interest in astronomy. He became a renowned lunar observer, and began to write books. He served as President of the British Astronomical Association and the Society for Popular Astronomy. Equally at ease with the likes of Neil Armstrong or an inquisitive schoolchild, Patrick was knighted in 2001 for “services to the popularisation of science and to broadcasting” and in 2002 was awarded with a Bafta (presented to him by Buzz Aldrin).
