Sir Patrick Moore joined Kevin to discuss his fascinating life. Throughout his distinguised career, Patrick Moore has, without a doubt, done more to raise the profile of astronomy amoung the British public than any other figure in the scientific world. As the presenter of The Sky at Night on BBC television for nearly 50 years he was honoured with an OBE in 1968 and a CBE in 1988. In 2001 he was knighted 'for services to the popularisation of science and to broadcasting'. The BBC first aired The Sky at Night in April 1957 and it is now in the record books as the world's longest running TV series with the same presenter. He is also the author of over 60 books on astronomy, all of which, including his autobiography have been written on his 1908 typewriter. Partly thanks to his larger-than-life personality, Sir Patrick's own fame extends far beyond astronomical circles. A self-taught musician and talented composer, he has displayed his xylophone-playing skills at the Royal Variety Performance and as a passionate supporter of cricket, he has played for the Lord's Taverners charity cricket team.
Sir Patrick Moore on the success of The Sky At Night
The BBC's The Sky At Night programme was first broadcast on 24th April 1957 - making Sir Patrick Moore the longest-running presenter of the same television show in the world. On Sunday 6th March 2011 the programme celebrates its 700th episode, and Sir Patrick has fronted all but one of them. Read more
All his life, Sir Patrick Moore has felt the same degree of affinity with his telescope as David Beckham has with a succession of footballs. Now, however, the presenter of The Sky at Night - the longest running television series with the same presenter - tells Mandrake that he has reluctantly had to put it away for good. Read more
Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore gave up looking at stars over Christmas and joined a host of them instead, in the name of charity. The Selsey star-gazer and broadcaster joined the Alzheimer's Research Trust's Memories Matter campaign. Read more
A day of lectures "Past, present and future of amateur astronomy" at the Royal Institute - London to celebrate Sir Patrick Moore's 75 years membership of the British Astronomical Assoc.