Society launch bid to name a star after Sir Patrick Moore

The Ayrshire Astronomical Society has launched a bid to name a star after the late astronomer - who lived in Selsey - and is asking the community to help them in their efforts.

Allan McIntyre from the society said members had enter a competition to name a star after Sir Patrick - and they were through to the final.

Mr McIntyre said: “We recently entered an competition run by the AIU to name a star and its exoplanets.

“We are now through to the final round which involves a public vote.

“We have chosen to name the star Upsilon Andromedae ‘Moore’ as we felt this would be a fitting tribute to a man who devoted his life to astronomy.

“Its three exoplanets we have named Sagan after the astronomer Carl Sagan, Clarke after Sir Arthur C Clarke and Schiehallion after the Scottish mountain used in 1774 by the-then Astronomer Royal in an experiment to calculate the mass of planet earth.

“With enough votes this will become a reality so we are trying to inform as many people as possible as voting closes on October 31.

“Anyone’s help in this would be much appreciated and may put Sir Patrick’s name among the stars he enjoyed so much.”

To vote visit the website then go to the voting page and click on the star system Upsilon Andromedae.

From there scroll down to find the entries for Moore, Sagan, Clarke and Shiehallion.