For many years now Patrick has been not only my astronomy hero but also a good friend of mine.
My first contact with him was in 1985 when I submitted my P/Halley comet recovery shot which was subsequently shown
on the BBC "The Sky at Night". I was honoured to be the 4th UK amateur to record the 14th magnitude approaching
comet on film. From then onwards we have been in contact on and off ever since, and indeed I have written chapters
for Patrick's books on several occasions. I had had an invite down to Patrick's home for many years now and at
last I contacted the great astronomer earlier this year and the date was set. Not knowing what to expect I went
down the night before on the 16th August 2001 and booked in close by at Saint Andrews Lodge Hotel in Selsey. I
had a walk along the coastline and town of Selsey which was very windy but warm and enjoyable. I took my DV video
recorder with me and started off with a film of Selsey where Patrick resides.
The next morning feeling rather excited yet fresh from my stay over I was driving into the driveway of Particks
home. A beautiful thatched residence with small leaded diamond window panes in traditional black and white timbers.
I had a quick glimpse of three observatories in the gardens and rang the bell. I was greeted by Patrick who explained
about the airlocks! Indeed there is a sign on his door referring to the airlocks! The inner door has to be shut
prior to opening the outer door as his prize possession, his very much loved cat named Jeanie may rush outside
without warning. The greeting was wonderful. I was taken into his study and immediately overwhelmed by the huge
amount of bookcases from ceilings to floor in every direction filled to the bursting point with thousands of books
of which over a hundred sported the Patrick Moore name on them. I was shown around and saw many interesting things.
The famous 1908 Woodstock typewriter that Patrick first used from the age of 8 years and has done so to this day.
He told me that until recent times he could type some 90 words per minute which is incredible.
I was told many stories including one story of how at the age of 8 years he really wanted the Pickering astronomy
book on the Moon and could not get it. He went to the local library and typed out the full book word by word for
himself.
I then was allowed to hold a very heavy 5 inch round fragment of the famous Barwell meteorite which fell over Leicestershire
on the 24th December 1966. The full weight of the meteorite was about 46 kilograms. Partick had persuaded a local
farmer to allow him to search a field or two and in due course he found one.
Also around the home were dozens of wonderful artistic mounted paintings and drawings of all shapes and sizes of
aliens in their own imaginary planetary landscapes and environments. Not the nasty monsters that depict aliens
by many people these days I may add. These were drawn and painted by Patrick's Mother who he dearly loved and misses
so much to this day.
I was then introduced to a young lad named Richard who helps out around the study, including doing some typing
for Patrick as he has not been to well in recent times with a hand that is somewhat as he described as useless.
The young mans father Douglas arrived and was there for the day. Patrick allowed me to browse around, including
some filming whilst he and his young helper sorted out a few of the many bookshelves. I was not left without choice
of interests with so much reading material. Partrick asked me if I had a few of his best books and he simply said
keep them, and he autographed them. He ordered the large hardback version of "The photographic atlas of the
Universe" over the phone, direct from the publisher, and told them to send it direct to my Mount Tuffley address.
This book is one of the best anyone can buy for the starfield observer and astrophotographer covering the whole
hemisphere. At the same time I am to contribute pictures to a new Messier and Caldwell object catalogue for him
to be used in a later publication. Also I have agreed to do another chapter for his famous "Yearbook of Astronomy"
next year. He is such a kind and generous man and is full of encouragement to others. He is unbelievable. Not having
a father I would be honoured and proud to have Patrick as one.
We were then invited out to dinner and Patrick would not hear of us paying for anything, including the drinks.
The steak and fresh vegetables were excellent. When we got back we went into his living room, which is were he
has composed music over the years. On his piano was one called "Nocturne of Patrick Moore"? Patrick was
born in Middlesex in 1923 and was the son of an army officer. His talent and passion to compose music was inherited
from his Mother who was extremely talented in many ways. At the age of 9 years he taught himself to read and write
music. Since then he has written many marches and waltzes. He also watches cricket on TV. He was a fine cricketer
in his younger days. We sat and watched cricket with the TV sound off and many of his music CD's were played as
we chatted. One CD cover was titled "Patrick Moore The Royal Scottish National Symphony Orchestra". He
composed the tracks such as "Orion's March op.51", Haley's Comet op.60", and "Vienna Dawn op.32"Again
some filming was allowed and it was wonderful to just sit and chat about things. Patrick has produced many musical
themes and is truly a gifted person. His first composition was at a very earlier age.
After this we went out into the garden and he showed us his telescopes and 4 observatories. The large observatory
houses a fine 15-inch equatorial reflector and next to it is another observatory with a 5 inch Cook refractor.
Patrick got this one trained on the Sun in minutes and soon an eight inch projected circle of our Sun was seen.
Many fine Sunspots were seen, including two larger groupings. We then saw the 12 inch F10 reflector and another
12 inch telescope he used to study the Moon with. In all it was an amazing experience to be shown all this equipment.
Nothing high tech and loaded with electronics, but instruments to view the heavens above and the planets using
the naked eye at the telescope eyepiece. He told us all about how he had used the brilliant 40 inch Yerkes refractor
to map the Moon. His work was used to help in the Apollo landing missions. What an honour.
Finally outside he had purchased three cheap commercial telescopes between £15 and £80. We set them
up to test them by attempting to project the Suns image onto a white card. One was useless and the other did actually
show the Solar disc which was something. I believe he will be saying something about these later. A future Sky
at Night will be talking about near Earth asteroids.
In the early evening a few more of Patricks close friends visited and we sat outside and chatted for two hours.
Patrick insisted I was to show everyone the astrophotographs I had taken with me to show him. He was full of praise
and complimented me throughout. I felt very honoured to be so highly praised in front of his friends by a man who
has done so much for British astronomy and promoting the subject World-wide.
Later that evening Patrick invited us to go for an evening meal at an Indian restaurant and we were all treated
once again. The Manager and his staff asked if a picture could be taken of them with Patrick. He agreed and afterwards
there were drinks on the house all round. Now what I had not mentioned before was Patrick likes a glass or two
of Whisky, my favourite drink also. I declined earlier as I had to drive back home some 140 miles later. The second
invite Patrick simply said. "Are you bound to go back? As if you wish you may stay the night" I accepted
and Patrick and I poured the whisky on a very regular basis from then on as we chatted with the others who joined
in. This went on till almost midnight as we talked astronomy on and off throughout. I was able to do a great deal
of filming and ended my filming with a few still frames off photographs of Patrick all dressed up in top hat and
tails after he had received his knighthood.
We both decided to retire as both had looked outside and had intended to look at Mars earlier but alas the skies
were very poor. "Shall I bring you a mug of tea up in the morning" "I have to go off to some meeting
at 10.am" were Patrick last words before retiring for the night. I was shown to my room and at 08.05am the
mug of tea was brought in, and Patrick was dressed and ready to leave some two hours in advance. We had a few more
chats and the Postman came in, made and himself a drink and sat down helping Patrick to open the mail. Patricks
one hand movement is very restricted and sadly he stated he might never be able to record his observations any
more as he can't use the hand. The postman and I had both started in the GPO as it was then, some 38 years ago
in 1963. An amazing coincidence. "Would you like some coffee and toast John" "Certainly and thank
you Patrick". With this he made me toast. We sat down and chatted prior to me leaving, and he has told me
I must visit him again in the future, which I accepted. We parted with a shaking of hands and normal farewells,
and I headed for home having reluctantly left the most interesting and memorable visit of a lifetime.
Sir Patrick Moore, Patrick is the kindest and most helpful and talented person I have ever met in my entire life.
His dedication to the subject is matched by few. He is a man that everyone in Britain should be highly proud of.
Indeed there has been a magnificent Planetarium opened nearby to Selsey at Chichester by Sir Patrick. This is
a fine Planetarium and all thanks to Patrick again.
A man all British astronomers should be truly proud of.
I thank him for his hospitality and kindness.
Clear Skies from John at Mount Tuffley Observatory. Gloucester. UK.