The Sky At Night

[Mad Doug Biker]

He's one of these people who you kind of imagine will/would go on forever, a bit like David Attenborough et al.

 

[MontyVeda]

...

The Queen guitarist, Brian May, who holds a PhD in astrophysics, said the world had "lost a priceless treasure that can never be replaced" and he had lost a "dear friend and kind of father figure".
May said in a statement: "Patrick was the last of a lost generation, a true gentleman, the most generous in nature that I ever knew, and an inspiration to thousands in his personal life, and to millions through his 50 years of unique broadcasting.
...

I've always been a great fan if looking up at the sky and if it wasn't for catching the odd episode of The Sky at Night in my youth I may not have noticed what was up there. Like John Peel and Parky, Patrick Moore is a pivotal figure in British broadcasting and may he rest in peace.

A few years ago he commented on his love of sci-fi TV shows such as Star Trek and Dr. Who... he was a great fan of Star Trek until they put a woman in charge... a concept he felt so preposterous that he stopped watching. Time travel; fine, alien species; fine, warp drive; fine, androids with senior positions; fine... but a woman in charge!!!! nope, not having that at all!!!! He really is/was the last of a generation. (hopefully)

RIP Mr Moore.... shine on you crazy diamond

 

[slowmotion]

He came to my school to give a lecture and he was fantastic. Not too long ago, he was one of the guides on a trip I went on to Tromso to see the Northern lights. He had a totally un-PC sense of humour.

I could be wrong, but I think he was a bomb aimer on one of the raids to sink the Tirpitz. An absolute one-off.

 

[Drago]

RIP Patrick Moore. Astronomer, true gentleman, and a great British eccentric. Sadly missed

 

[Maz]

I've enjoyed his programmes over the years.
With his passing, however, I've started to read more about his life. It appears he held some rather unsavoury views regarding immigration, foreigners in general and women. Hmm, I think I will put this down to his eccentricity.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

RIP a great charecter,will be missed by many.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

He lasted well for such a big old boy.

 

[Stephenite]

I wonder, if it's not too off-topic, if anyone would help me choose a telescope.

I've laid heavy hints with the nearest and dearest that's what i'd like for christmas. So, looking for something not too expensive, not too big and bulky, and value-for-money is the keyword. Something you can get out once in a while to view celestial events like Jupiter and it's moons, for example. View the moon, that sort of thing.

 

[rich p]

Makes me wonder if I shouldn't worry about my high cholesterol.

 

[clarion]

I've enjoyed his programmes over the years.
With his passing, however, I've started to read more about his life. It appears he held some rather unsavoury views regarding immigration, foreigners in general and women. Hmm, I think I will put this down to his eccentricity.

He was a racist, homophobic misogynist, and chair of an extreme right wing party (merged into a fascist one), and had links to the Freedom Association and the Economic League, whose illegal blacklists ran until very recently, causing hardship for many families.

But most people seem unaware of this distasteful side of hos life, so I suppose he must have succeeded in keeping it separate from the tireless work he did for astronomy.

 

[MontyVeda]

I wonder, if it's not too off-topic, if anyone would help me choose a telescope.

I've laid heavy hints with the nearest and dearest that's what i'd like for christmas. So, looking for something not too expensive, not too big and bulky, and value-for-money is the keyword. Something you can get out once in a while to view celestial events like Jupiter and it's moons, for example. View the moon, that sort of thing.

the first series of stargazing live had some advice on buying telescopes... they may be available on the BBC iPlayer to re-watch (some things stay on for months). I've been meaning to rewatch them as I've got 'em downloaded so will get back to you, but in the mean time, i'm sure somebody here will be able to advise. I know @numbnuts has done some fantastic shots of the moon with just a webcam, so he may be around to tell us what his set up is.

if you're happy to download torrents, you may be able to get Stargazing Live from www.kat.ph.

 

[mcshroom]

He was a racist, homophobic misogynist, and chair of an extreme right wing party (merged into a fascist one), and had links to the Freedom Association and the Economic League, whose illegal blacklists ran until very recently, causing hardship for many families.

But most people seem unaware of this distasteful side of hos life, so I suppose he must have succeeded in keeping it separate from the tireless work he did for astronomy.

Clarion seems to be establishing he has an axe to grind (here and elsewhere)

 

[Crackle]

I've enjoyed his programmes over the years.
With his passing, however, I've started to read more about his life. It appears he held some rather unsavoury views regarding immigration, foreigners in general and women. Hmm, I think I will put this down to his eccentricity.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/dec/09/sir-patrick-moore

 

[mcshroom]

It's a fine axe though isn't it.

I refuse to give an assessment of Clarions chopper

 

[Stephenite]

Thanks Monty. I'll try to get around to looking at those. And i'll check out other threads.

Looking around on the net I've found this: http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/reflecting-telescopes/celestronastromaster130eqreflector.cfm
The reviews look positive, not too dear, and available locally to me.