There's A Star Man Waiting In The Sky......

and I really did meet him, and I think he'd blow anyones' mind.

Today saw the passing of one of the world's real characters. Patrick Moore inspired generations of astronomers, and other scientists with his unique and somewhat eccentric style of delivery. His distinctive, rapid-fire speech with accompanying monocle added to his absorbing enthusiasm and knowledge. It also made him a God-send for impressionists and comedians. Although he held no degrees (other than honorary) NASA commissioned him to help map the moon in preparation for the lunar landings.

I met him in Dumfries (home of J.M. Barrie -creator of Peter Pan) about 10 years ago, where he was giving a most informative talk on the solar system and space exploration. He was most proud of his work on the moon; long-running "The Sky At Night" programme on BBC television and the fact that he thought himself to be the only person who had met the Wright Brothers (first powered flight), Yuri Gagarin (first man in space) and Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon). And he outlived them all.

I got the impression that his interest in astronomy from a young age had meant that he never really grew up. Click here for more

Well done Sir Patrick and as J.M. Barrie wrote in Peter Pan, " Second star on the right and straight on till morning."

4 March 1923 - 9 December 2012