By: Gary Graff
12/19/2012
Britain's astronomy community is tipping Queen guitarist Brian May to become the new host of BBC's popular "The Sky At Night" program following the death of the iconic Sir Patrick Moore, who helmed the program from its inception in 1957.
Moore passed away on December 9 at the age of 89; he and May -- who holds a Ph. D in astrophysics from London's Imperial College -- collaborated on a book called "BANG!"
Dr. Richard Miles, a former president of the British Astronomical Association, said he felt May would "grow into the job if he was given a free hand," while Imperial College professor and Royal Astronomical Society president David Southwood said that May and Moore share "a terrific gift for communication...You've got to have a pretty strong personality to replace someone who had such a strong identity like Patrick."
May has not commented on the possibility of hosting "The Sky at Night;" he's currently working on a Queen iBook he hopes to publish in 2013.
Upon Moore's passing he did say that, "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. Patrick will be mourned by the many to whom he was a caring uncle, and by all who loved the delightful wit and clarity of his writings, or enjoyed his fearlessly eccentric persona in public life. Patrick is irreplaceable. There will never be another Patrick Moore. But we were lucky enough to get one."
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