December 17, 2012
A Tribute to Sir Patrick Moore
by Professor Martin Barstow, University of Leicester (December 11, 2012)
Growing up a the time of the Moon Landings, like many others I was inspired to become a scientist by Patrick through his coverage of Apollo and his appearances on Sky at Night. He already had a strong connection with the University when I joined the Physics and Astronomy Department and it was a thrill to meet him in person for the first time.
His support for our work has been tremendous over the years and he became a patron of our efforts to create the National Space Centre here in the Leicester (the planetarium is now named after him).
I was delighted when he was awarded the Distinguished Honorary Fellowship of the University in recognition of 50 years of Sky at Night together with his association with the University and was privileged to act as his host for the day. The weather was terrible, but Patrick insisted we walk to the De Montfort Hall. It was slow progress, as everyone we passed stopped to say hello and he took time for a personal word with all.
I always had an ambition to appear on Sky at Night as a young astronomer and, in recent years have had the good fortune to be involved in a number of programmes. Becoming part of Sky at Night is like joining an extended family, with Patrick being the glue that held it all together. He was one of nature’s gentlemen with time for everyone. His hospitality was generous and trips to his home at Selsey became events for my whole family.
When my daughter, Jo, was about to start a PhD working on Venus, Patrick remarked, “I wrote a book on that”. Several days later a copy of the book appeared with a personal message inscribed on the title page. My musician son, Nick, was allowed to try out the famous xylophone and caused some consternation for the BBC film crew when Patrick insisted on delaying a recording while he “dug out” some music for him.
We last saw Patrick in person at a wonderful evening in Selsey celebrating the 55 year anniversary of Sky at Night earlier this year. Many of the Sky at Night family were there and we closed the evening with a truly terrible, but enjoyable (to us at least), karaoke rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. I am not sure what Brian May (another great friend of Patrick’s) would have thought of that.
I have many fond memories of Patrick that I will aways treasure. He was a great man and a great friend. I will miss him tremendously, but he will be missed by millions more.
Professor Martin Barstow, Head of the College of Science and Engineering
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
The death of Sir Patrick Moore, who is credited with educating the British public on astronomy and space travel reminds us that we are all mere mortals. Each of us in time must leave this earthly enclave for a future unknown or known depending on one’s beliefs. He wrote more than 100 books and was the world’s longest-running presenter of a single TV show on his favourite subjects, which he often described as his hobbies.
Reading through this brief but poignant tribute, it is clear to me that it is this astronomer’s eccentricity that was revered.Sir Patrick’s success was due not only to his experience in astronomy and expert knowledge of his field, but also to his enthusiasm, humanity, humility, and great sense of humour.
His deft skills at imparting his knowledge might have been honed by his in-depth comprehension of his subjects, but they also reflected a mind open to a variety of other influences, like opera, music, chess and sport. Sir Patrick delved into these areas with as much zeal as he showed for his astronomy.He was never afraid to be different and would challenge conventional wisdom at every turn. It must have been a rare privilege for those who were his students to have been exposed to his ideas and pedagogy. I only say to myself, I wish I knew the man. CLF, your comments are welcome.–Din Merican
Tribute to Sir Patrick Moore by Dr Paul Abel
Posted by pt91 at Dec 11, 2012 10:10 AM | Permalink
I first started speaking to Patrick regularly when I was 12. Like countless other people, I have many of his letters which he bashed out on his ancient Woodstock typewriter. His letters were just like a conversation, a passionate mix of the latest planetary news together with some recent disaster like the dropping of expensive eyepieces on the floor, or some the pruning of some tree which he had lopped at three in the morning as it outrageously blocked his view of Saturn.
When I started my PhD at Leicester, I started to visit Patrick frequently, and he asked me to join the Sky at Night as a co-presenter. I was a deeply honoured to join the man on the program which got me started in astronomy, and meet the many distinguished guests of the programme – a number of them from the University of Leicester.
Patrick had a unique ability: he could take very complicated astronomical facts and translate them into ordinary down to earth (and usually highly amusing) analogies. My favorite is his description of our Milky Way galaxy being “rather like two fried eggs clapped back to back”. This ability combined with his wonderful persona, his infectious passion and enormous sense of fun made him for me, the godfather of modern astronomy. I cannot even begin to calculate just how many people, both professional and amateur, have got started in astronomy because of this man. Whether they had a passing interest, or were avid explorers of the night sky, he didn’t care and treated their observations and ideas just as seriously as he would the many eminent guests on The Sky at Night.
Above all else, Patrick was extremely generous. I have him to thank for getting me into astronomy, and starting me off in my career of science broadcasting. I feel truly blessed that I can count him as a dear friend, and the fun and larks we had recording The Sky at Night will stay with me forever. He will be sorely missed.
Dr Paul G Abel, Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, University of Leicester
Sir Patrick Moore? The evidence speaks for itself. He inspired a passion for astronomy for many, but not me. As a kid i was more curious about many things – er, like the difference between male and female anatomy.. But i was always fascinated by astronomy and the stars, but never had the opportunity to delve into it’s mysteries.
I remember asking my dad when i was 4 (i think) – ‘Why is the moon following us?’ while riding on his motorbike one evening. He couldn’t answer.
Another time, in primary 1, i asked my very Irish school teacher: ‘Why is the sky dark at night?’ I got spanked for asking a ‘stupid’ question.
So i stopped asking, even as i wondered about meteor showers and funny marks on the moon etc which i saw nightly with my buddies up on the rooftops of pre-industrial KL. Nowadays, we can’t even see Venus or Jupiter clearly in the Klang Valley because of the haze and light pollution.
Later on, my ambition was to become an astrophysicist since my favorite sci-fi authors were HG Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert A. Heinlein etc, but reality put paid to that idea. Firstly, no job. Secondly, no course offered locally. Thirdly, everyone thought i was loony.
Although there is some local interest in astronomy, but i think it’s never enough. I remember showing my kids the belt of Orion, identifying for them Betelgeuse and explaining how to distinguish a planet from a star one lovely night, on the shores of Lake Pedu many years ago. A well-heeled gentleman (now a Tan Sri) who was listening in made a caustic remark, that all this knowledge was not necessary and impractical. Imagine that.., where is the sense of wonder? Most Malaysians still rather talk about magic, supernatural charms and prophetic astrology than astronomy. Must be in the genes.
The first time I had a good look at the moon was when my tent was stolen in the dead of night.
That was the winter of my discount tent.
Good write-up.
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Welcome Makcik.
The passing of Sir Patrick Moore is indeed sad. It can be said that he almost single-handedly must have opened up and inspired millions of young minds to the interest in Astronomy allowing growing adolescents to marvel at the wonders of creation as seen on a clear night sky. I owe my interest and passion in Astronomy (which is sustained right through my student days, working life and even into retirement) to his authority and influence through his fascinating books.
Though many others are continuing similar work and influence (e.g Prof Brian Cox in the TV program The Sky at Night) the world is indeed poorer having lost one who has contributed so much in sparking curiosity and interest in young minds.
We, in Malaysia too, are also poorer in a sense that we hardly ever get clear night skies due to pollution. It is pity that children now do not get a chance to gape at the beauty of a clear night sky either through the lack of it or time or other competing interests. Or perhaps the education system is such that it has dulled young minds.
Yup ALtPJK, Prof Brian Cox is a good choice. Suave, impeccable and bright. The English equivalent to American Prof Michio Kaku. Over here we have those BTN Profs and characters like Ridzhuan Tee, who insist on wiping the snot off their master’s nose.
Our education system is like the night sky in our cities – kelabu.. Malaysians, in general don’t invest enough time and effort to quench the thirst of inquisitive young minds. Instead we hammer them into submission – with threats, dullard rote learning and exam smarts, but nothing else. Not that most of us have a choice of careers either.
Really sad, when we insist and depend on technology, without being able to go beyond basic math, physics, chemistry and think that the all ‘hard’ sciences are impenetrable. Like most lazy, obese potato couches all over the world, the average Malaysian parent has the general knowledge IQ of a house-fly.
Betcha 90% of readers here don’t really know why the sky is dark at night!
What we end up doing nowadays, is nurturing ‘lembek’ brains. Our indigenous, original R&D output is about zero and plagiarism is rampant. And our idea of a Supernova is Ah Jib Gor.