Patrick Moore
Astronomer
Sir Patrick Moore (1923–2012) presented The Sky at Night on BBC TV from 1957–2012. He was the Editor Emeritus of BBC Sky at Night Magazine, President of the British Astronomical Association and Society for Popular Astronomy, and a researcher and writer of over 70 books.
Recent articles by Patrick Moore
Are we prepared for a maverick asteroid hitting Earth?
In this archive article from 2006, Patrick Moore discusses the likelihood of Earth being struck by a huge space rock.
Is Earth in danger if Betelgeuse goes supernova?
Red giant star Betelgeuse, could go supernova relatively soon. Are we in danger? Patrick Moore weighs up the risk in this archive article.
If there's life on Mars, it could be common across the Universe
Back in 2006, the late Patrick Moore pondered what it would mean if we did find life on the Red Planet.
Strange things astronomers used to believe about the Moon
In this archive article, the late Patrick Moore discusses some of the most ill-conceived notions about our lunar neighbour.
Observing guide | How to observe the Moon
Want to get to know the Moon better? Discover how to explore our celestial neighbour with our observing guide.
Why we have nothing to fear from alien races
In this archive article, Patrick Moore explains why we shouldn't fear making contact with civilisations beyond our Solar System.
Why we can't rule out a visit from alien beings
Will we ever make contact with intelligent civilisations beyond Earth? In this archive column, the late Patrick Moore outlines the arguments.
Patrick Moore's top 10 winter astronomy sights
A tour of spectacular deep-sky objects with the late Sir Patrick Moore’s pick of his personal favourites.
Could we really live on Mars?
The late Patrick Moore weighs up the practical and ethical dilemmas of permanently settling on the Red Planet, in this article from 2005.
Gallery | The Pleiades
A guide to M45, also known as the Pleiades, and images of the famous open star cluster.
Observe and photograph the Moon's terminator
The movement of the lunar terminator provides a great opportunity to observe and photograph the changing play of light and shadow.
Patrick Moore's guide to observing Saturn with a telescope
Astronomers you should know | Bernard Lovell
Lovell’s insight led to significant advances in the field of radio astronomy.
A guide to quasars, the powerful black hole objects
What are these powerful yet fleeting objects, and when was the first quasar discovered?
Edwin Hubble, the astronomer who discovered there are galaxies beyond the Milky Way
The story of the debate as to whether or not other galaxies existed beyond our own, and how Hubble settled it once and for all.
Not all stars are white! Exploring stars' true colour in the night sky
Have you ever explored the colour of stars? The late Patrick Moore considers the kaleidoscopic cosmos.
A scientific look at volcanoes on the Moon
How recently has a volcano eruption occurred on the Moon, and how much do we know about its volcanic past?
What’s holding humans back in space travel?
Patrick Moore dismays at the lack of progress in human spaceflight since the 1960s.
4 mistakes astronomers made about our Solar System
Even astronomers make mistakes! Patrick Moore considers some of the biggest blunders made about the Solar System, including one of his own.
How exoplanets changed the prospect of finding life beyond Earth
Patrick Moore discusses the allure of exoplanets, and how their discovery shifted the goalposts in the search for life beyond Earth.
Iapetus: The mystery of Saturn's black and white moon
Patrick Moore reveals interesting facts about Saturn's strange black and white satellite in this archive article.
We need to talk about light pollution
In this archive article, the late Patrick Moore bemoans the many sources that disrupt our view of the night sky.
6 of the most famous telescopes in history
Patrick Moore's pick of the telescopes that, in their time, reigned supreme and led to ‘quantum leaps’ in science.
When is the best time to see the stars?
In this archive article, the late Patrick Moore reveals his favourite times of year to observe the night sky.