A definitive reference to the stars, the planets and the Universe, containing hundreds of photographs from the very best ground-based and space telescopes, and fascinating images from five decades of exploration.

Sir Patrick Moore, as author of more than 60 books and presenter of the world's longest-running television series, The Sky at Night, popularised astronomy for over 50 years. Born in 1923, he was elected a member of the British Astronomical Association while still a schoolboy. During WWII he served with the RAF. He was fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Jackson-Gwilt medalist), a member of the International Astronomical Union and holder of the Goodacre Medal from the British Astronomical Association of which he was president from 1982-84 and then Life Vice-President. He was also a member of astronomical societies of many other countries. In 2001 he received a knighthood for his services to astronomy. A minor planet (No 2602) has been named Moore after him. Sir Patrick held honorary doctorates from the universities of Lancaster, Birmingham, Hertfordshire, Keele, Leicester, Portsmouth, Glamorgan, Sheffield Hallam and Trinity College Dublin. Sir Patrick Moore died in December 2012.