Patrick Moore
English amateur astronomer
Died when: 89 years 280 days (1077 months)Star Sign: Pisces
Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore CBE HonFRS FRAS (/ˈkɔːldwɛl/; 4 March 1923 – 9 December 2012) was an English amateur astronomer who attained prominence in that field as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter.
Moore was president of the British Astronomical Association; co-founder and president of the Society for Popular Astronomy; author of over seventy books on astronomy; and presenter of the world's longest-running television series with the same original presenter, BBC's The Sky at Night (from 1957).
He became known as a specialist in Moon observation and for creating the Caldwell catalogue.Idiosyncrasies such as his rapid diction and monocle made him a popular and instantly recognisable figure on British television.
Outside his field of astronomy, Moore was known for his role on the video game television show GamesMaster.Moore was also a self-taught xylophonist and pianist, as well as an accomplished composer.
He was an amateur cricketer, golfer and chess player.In addition to many popular science books, he wrote numerous works of fiction.
He was an opponent of fox hunting, an outspoken critic of the European Union and a supporter of the UK Independence Party, and he served as chairman of the short-lived anti-immigration United Country Party.
He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
