Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore [a] (/ˈkɔːldwɛl/; 4 March 1923 – 9 December 2012[1]) was an English amateur astronomer who attained prominence in that field as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter.

He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II and briefly taught before publishing his first book on lunar observation in 1953.

Renowned for his expertise in Moon observation and the creation of the Caldwell catalogue, Moore authored more than seventy astronomy books.

He hosted the world's longest-running television series with the original presenter, BBC's The Sky at Night, from 1957 until his death in 2012.

Idiosyncrasies such as his rapid diction and monocle made him a popular and instantly recognisable figure on British television.

His youth was marked by heart problems, which left him in poor health, and he was educated at home by private tutors.

[11] During World War II, Moore joined the Home Guard in East Grinstead, where his father had been elected platoon commander.

[12] Records show that he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in December 1941 at age 18 and was not called up for service until July 1942 as an Aircraftman, 2nd Class.

[21] After his second original science book, Guide to the Planets, he wrote his first work of fiction, The Master of the Moon,[22] the first of numerous young adult fiction space adventure books (including the late 1970s series the Scott Saunders Space Adventure); he wrote a more adult novel and a farce titled Ancient Lights, though he did not wish either to be published.

[24] His first television appearance was in a debate about the existence of flying saucers following a spate of reported sightings in the 1950s; Moore argued against Lord Dowding and other UFO proponents.

[42] A homemade recording reveals that the studio team was very quiet during the landing sequence, leaving the NASA commentary clear of interruptions.

[43] "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.

It's no exaggeration to say that Patrick, in his tireless and ebullient communication of the magic of astronomy, inspired every British astronomer, amateur and professional, for half a century.

[49] At this time he became increasingly annoyed by conspiracy theorists and reporters who asked him questions such as "Why waste money on space research when there is so much to be done here?".

It featured special guests, amateur astronomers Jon Culshaw (impersonating Moore presenting the first The Sky at Night) and Brian May.

On 6 May 2007, a special edition of The Sky at Night was broadcast on BBC One to commemorate the programme's 50th anniversary, with a party in Moore's garden at Selsey, attended by amateur and professional astronomers.

He presented with the help of special guests Professor Brian Cox, Jon Culshaw and Lord Rees, the Astronomer Royal.

[66] A Eurosceptic, he was a supporter and patron of the UK Independence Party,[67] and campaigned on behalf of Douglas Denny, the UKIP candidate for the Chichester constituency in 2001.

[76] Moore cited his opposition to fox hunting, blood sport and capital punishment to rebut claims that he had ultra-right-wing views.

In 1976 it was used to good effect for an April Fools' Day spoof on BBC Radio 2, when Moore announced a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event that meant that if listeners could jump at that exact moment, 9.47 a.m. they would experience a temporary sensation of weightlessness.

[88] Moore expressed appreciation for the science fiction television series Doctor Who and Star Trek, but stated that he had stopped watching when "they went PC - making women commanders, that kind of thing".

[92] In 2003, he presented Sussex Junior David Howell with the best young chess player award on Carlton Television's Britain's Brilliant Prodigies show.

[94] The jacket notes to his book "Suns, Myths and Men" (1968) said his hobbies included "chess, which he plays with a peculiar leg-spin, and cricket."

[95] Until forced to give up because of arthritis, Moore was a keen pianist and accomplished xylophone player, having first played the instrument at the age of 13.

"[101] Before encountering health problems, he was an extensive traveller and had visited all seven continents, including Antarctica; he said his favourite two countries were Iceland and Norway.

[105] May bought Moore's Selsey home in 2008, leasing it back to him for a peppercorn rent the same day to provide financial security.

In 1986, he was identified as the co-author of a book published in 1954 called Flying Saucer from Mars, attributed to Cedric Allingham, which was intended as a money-making venture and practical joke on UFO believers;[107] Moore never admitted his involvement.

[112] In 2001, he was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society (HonFRS) since he had been the most effective and influential writer and speaker about astronomy in the UK and for his contribution to science in the United Kingdom.

[115] World War II had a significant influence on Moore's life – he said his only romance ended when his fiancée Lorna, a nurse, was killed in London in 1943 by a bomb which struck her ambulance.

[117] In his autobiography, he said that after sixty years, he still thought about her, and because of her death, "if I saw the entire German nation sinking into the sea, I could be relied upon to help push it down.