"Some of us are looking at the stars" - tributes to Sir Patrick Moore

Sir Patrick Moore, the man who presented the BBC’s The Sky At Night for more than 50 years, has died at the age of 89. We’ve gathered together just a few of the many tributes to the man who inspired generation after generation to look at the stars:

“Tributes flooded in today for the man who popularised the field of space and astronomy for more than half a century in his distinctively eccentric style epitomised by an ill-fitting suit, monocle over his right eye and erudite speech delivered at a rate of 300 words a minute.” - Steve Connor, Independent

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“The Sky at Night began in 1957, as science fiction dreams seemed to be turning into reality with Sputnik and later the Apollo missions. At home, children would sneak downstairs late at night to watch with awe as Sir Patrick explained the heavens.

“Among them were Chris Lintott, who went on to become a tutor at Oxford and Sir Patrick’s co-presenter, and who told how at academic conferences “the great and the good of world astronomy queued up to say thank you”. He said Sir Patrick “was quite as enthusiastic about talking to a professor as he was talking to six-year-olds who had seen the Moon for the first time”. - John-Paul Ford Rojas, Telegraph

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“His achievements at the BBC are unmatched: presenting The Sky At Night for a record 55 years, and inspiring generations of people to marvel at the wonders of the night sky.” - Tim Davie, acting BBC Director-General

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“Here was someone who could catch the mood of a world enthralled by a heady mix of discovery and achievement. With rockets launching satellites and then astronauts above Earth and beyond, there was no greater enthusiast to chronicle and illuminate an exhilarating new era of exploration. Generations grew up with Patrick Moore as their guide and he proved hugely influential. Astronomy was no longer a niche activity.” - BBC News

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“The highest possible compliment you could pay Sir Patrick Moore, who has died full of years and honour, is that he would have never got a job as a science presenter with the modern BBC. First, he was too talented – a veritable renaissance man... Second, he knew too much about science – real science… Third, he had a real hinterland and life experience, having served for five years during the war as a navigator with RAF Bomber Command… Fourth, and perhaps most important, he was so gloriously and unapologetically politically incorrect.” - James Delingpole, Telegraph

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“Patrick certainly leaves a wonderful legacy though. The generations of astronomers and scientists he introduced to the night sky”- Professor Brian Cox @ProfBrianCox

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“Most astronomers I know will tell you that Patrick is the reason they first looked through a telescope. Through his countless books and articles and TV appearances, he somehow captured the adventure of the Universe and brought it to us. He knew the Universe in a way which will never be equalled. Patrick did not just know the facts - it was as if he lived out there, could find his way around it - knew it like the back of his hand. To the very end of his life he was actively distilling new discoveries into channels which made them not just accessible to astronomers, but also understandable to the general public - a rare gift, which he never tired of using to the full.” - Brian May



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“So sad - Patrick Moore has joined the heavens he lit up for so many years and for so many young people. Rest in Peace.” - Johnny Ball @johnnyballco



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Sir Patrick will feature in the next instalment of The Sky At Night, to be shown in January 2013.

Hannah Khalil is Digital Content Manager on About The BBC website and Blog