Ask Sir Patrick Moore transcript
|
| This event took place Tuesday 10th September 2002 |
 |
 |
Sir Patrick Moore
The legendary Sky At Night presenter and star astrologer joined us in the new BBCi Studio!
|
|
|
Question from Jack: What are your first impressions of the new BBCi studio?
Patrick Moore: I like it, it's unusual. I can see into the street but it feels like a goldfish bowl.
Question from Jane: I'm a huge fan of The Sky at Night and I understand the 600th programme will go out in December. Are you excited by this and what is planned?
Patrick Moore: I am rather. I had my 45th Anniversary programme this year. I feel very proud of it. It was over 50 years ago, from Bush House, I made my first broadcast. It's good to be back at Bush House where I am now. I've got a distinguished guest coming on for it so it should be a great programme I'm sure.
Question from Faye: Do you read what people write about you on the net?
Patrick Moore: I'm not a great internet user. I tune into NASA to see what they've got on there. I do tune into the BBC Space site too.
Question from Faye: What do you like most about the net?
Patrick Moore: The fact that it's accessible and quick and you can get answers to all sorts of obscure things.
Question from Jo: Can you tell us more about your lecture tour?
Patrick Moore: Three years ago, I did a lecture tour which went down well. It's mainly about first contact - Are we going to contact other beings? I enjoy it. It's going around England. Last night I was in Worcestershire and I'm off to Scotland later on. It's spreading the word. My job is now to do that as much as I can.
Question from Peter: I've heard about the Beagle launch to Mars next March. Can you tell me what the Beagle will be looking for?
Patrick Moore: Mainly any signs of martian life. It's less unlike the earth than any other body. There could be a certain amount of life there and it's very important to find out - microscopic stuff, nothing as advanced as a spider. We can't be sure of life elsewhere at the moment, we've got no proof. There will be plenty of reports about it, lots on The Sky At Night too. It'll be very widespread.
Question from Richard: Where can I see an eclipse this year?
Patrick Moore: There's a total eclipse of the sun in South Africa. The next total eclipse of the sun is a long way away. If you go to see an eclipse, take your camera. Don't spend all your time photographing it though, just take it in and watch it. I was in Cornwall for the last one, under an umbrella!
Question from Annie: I've heard that you have written an opera. Could you tell me what it's about and what inspired you?
Patrick Moore: Some years ago I wrote a few operas. There's nothing serious about it. All I can really write is tunes. Hopefully they'll be performed later this year.
Question from M. Jordan: What are your four favourite web sites and why?
Patrick Moore: I like the www.astronomy.com site, it's very good. In the morning I tune in to those to see what's there. NASA homepage is always good.
Question from Axe9: What do you think will be the first non-earth material resource to be utilised?
Patrick Moore: It's got to be the moon hasn't it. It is accessible. A lunar base will be of immense value to mankind. It could happen when we want it to.
Question from Anthony Bond: Considering the first Moon landing was over 30 years ago, do you believe we should have put a colony on it by now?
Patrick Moore: I rather thought we might, but things went rather wrong. The American shuttle took a lot longer and was more expensive than expected. It depends also on what happens in the world and the world leaders.
|
|
Suggest a Star or Expert to answer your questions