Sir Patrick Moore's astronomy memorabilia is heading for the Science Museum - BreakingNews.ie

A 12.5-inch reflecting telescope and memorabilia from BBC's The Sky At Night are among TV astronomer Sir Patrick Moore's unique collection of objects that have been acquired by Science Museum.

Sir Patrick, who presented the BBC's The Sky at Night for more than half a century, died two years ago today and left behind an extensive personal archive at his home in in Selsey, West Sussex.

The objects and written material acquired by the Science Museum reveal Sir Patrick's years of work as an amateur astronomer and his success in bringing astronomy to a wider audience.

Included in the collection are draft scripts and memorabilia from The Sky At Night, which still holds the record as the longest-running television series with the same original presenter.

The archive also contains about 70 of Sir Patrick's observation books, featuring detailed drawings and records of the night skies spanning more than 60 years, as well as manuscripts for astronomy and fiction books.

There's also a 12.5 inch reflecting telescope which Sir Patrick nicknamed Oscar and used for mapping the Moon.

Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Dr Brian May, who was a close friend of Sir Patrick, said: 'We, Patrick's friends and executors, have worked for a year to try to find the most fitting home for his core astronomical and personal archive.

'We're thrilled that the Science Museum has now agreed to give this precious resource a home.

'We're sure Patrick would be honoured that his legacy, a national treasure, will be in the perfect place - safe in Britain's top Scientific Museum, with plans for the material to be accessible to future generations.'

Alison Boyle, deputy keeper of Science & Medicine at the Science Museum, said: 'Sir Patrick Moore was a towering figure in astronomy and broadcasting during a remarkable career spanning most of the 20th century.

'This archive will help to inform the museum's future astronomy and space displays, and will become an important resource for all historians of popular astronomy.'

The material will be kept at the Science Museum Library & Archives at Wroughton, Wiltshire. Once catalogued, it will be available to the public for research purposes.

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