The death of Sir Patrick Moore which was announced yesterday made it a sad day indeed. Sir Patrick was one of those most unusual people, a man who seemed to have nothing but enthusiasm for life and wished to do nothing more than enthuse and encourage others.
His fame as the outstanding presenter of 'The Sky at Night' belied his true importance in the world of science, and astronomy in particular. Many of today's best known scientists have identified him as the one person who inspired them to pursue their careers and he, himself, was so revered as to be made a Fellow of the Royal Society even though he was 'only' an amateur.
Sir Patrick had looked increasingly frail in recent years and seemed even more so on his last appearance on 'The Sky at Night' last week Nonetheless, and with typical élan, the grand old man of television looked forward to the next programme when he promised to provide advice and guidance to those who might be lucky enough to receive a telescope in their Christmas stockings. Sadly, he will not now be able to fulfill his pledge, though we must hope that others will pick up his baton and continue the wonderful work that he started so many years ago. He will be missed very much.
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