RIP Colin Pillinger
I was lucky enough to know leading planetary astronomer Colin Pillinger
through his long-time friend and colleague Patrick Moore.
He was a colourful figure, a brave lateral thinker, not too dissimilar from Patrick
in his capacity for pure joy in the pursuit of his profession.
We always felt he was unfairly treated when his beloved Beagle probe
painfully failed to respond in the last minutes of its journey to Mars.
Unlike much of the Press, who gave him a hard time,
he was too much of a gentleman to complain,
but those in the know will tell you the fault was not his.
His highly individual and inspiring presence
will be sadly missed in the Astronomical community.
Sincere condolences to his family.
Bri
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