British astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore has died at the age of 89. A statement released this afternoon says that he "passed away peacefully at 12:25 this afternoon" at his home in Selsey, West Sussex. Best known by some for his record breaking 50 plus years hosting of The Sky At Night for over 50 years, Sir Patrick held a dear position in the hearts of some gamers and gaming journalists thanks to his time as the GamesMaster on the Channel 4 TV show during the 90s. He also wrote dozens of books on astronomy and his research was used by both the US and the Russians in their space programmes. A statement was released by his friends and staff announcing his passing:
"After a short spell in hospital last week, it was determined that no further treatment would benefit him, and it was his wish to spend his last days in his own home, Farthings, where he today passed on, in the company of close friends and carers and his cat Ptolemy. "Over the past few years, Patrick, an inspiration to generations of astronomers, fought his way back from many serious spells of illness and continued to work and write at a great rate, but this time his body was too weak to overcome the infection which set in, a few weeks ago. Through his regular monthly programmes he was telling us what to look for and what was out there and that was a real inspiration "He was able to perform on his world record-holding TV programme The Sky at Night right up until the most recent episode . "His executors and close friends plan to fulfil his wishes for a quiet ceremony of interment, but a farewell event is planned for what would have been Patrick's 90th birthday in March 2013."
GamesMaster represented a watershed moment for video game journalism, providing gamers with cheats and gameplay guides before the age of the internet made such information readily available to everyone. And Sir Patrick's eccentric touches made the programme, which ran between 1992 and 1998 essential viewing. RIP Sir Patrick Moore. http://youtu.be/Z7VtvEMBW0Y