Very few public figures have influenced me over the years – Patrick Moore was an exception.
As a friend of my aunt, he wrote to me when I was 8, sending letters and copies of his books. Being on Arran, the skies were dark, and even the Milky Way visible on a clear night.
Fast-forward 10 years and I’m studying Astronomy at Glasgow University, then working at Jodrell Bank on Radio Astrophysics.
Fast-forward another 10, and I’m working at an early start-up, Virgin Net, where one evening we held an “webchat” with Sir Patrick. We then went for dinner.
Fast-forward another 10, and I’m in discussion with Sky at Night magazine about writing a feature, and separately with Chris Lintott on related projects.
I know his enthusiasm for Astronomy was felt by many of my peers.
Thank you. Goodnight, and RIP.
And now, go outside and look at the stars.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20657939
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/dec/09/sir-patrick-moore
http://boingboing.net/2012/12/09/sir-patrick-moore-1923-2012.html
from 1978
