An Australian astronomer who appeared on BBC Stargazing Live with Professor Brian Cox has died aged 62.
Greg Quicke from Broome, 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) north of Perth, is known as “Space Gandalf” for his distinctive white beard.
In the 2017 Stargazing Australia series, he played a practical astronomer to Professor Cox’s theoretical particle physicist.
The series features Mr Quick’s report explaining why Australia’s night sky looks different to that of the UK.
His media career also includes the ABC’s 10-part series The Stargazer’s Guide to the Universe and Is the Moon Upside Down? and earth rotation awareness.
Mr. Quick is also a well-known tour guide, running “Astronomy Tours” in his hometown.
He estimates that over 28 years there have been around 100,000 participants, “including a BBC producer… who pulled me out of the jungle and onto the world stage”.
Professor Cox said he was “very sad” to learn of the death of his former colleague.
“I love what he wrote about seeing the 2023 solar eclipse,” he wrote on The communication of the world’.
“I wish he were in that place right now.”
Mr Quick was diagnosed with cancer in 2023.
“Due to a number of cosmic, physical and other worldly challenges, our 2024 stargazing season is unavailable, closed, closed, cannot happen and will not occur,” a post on his website before his death said.
Several people who attended his tour paid tribute on social media, including Sydney’s Chris Ross, who called it “a cherished memory”.
West Australian journalist Sam Tomlin wrote on X that Mr Quick was “one of the greatest science communicators of modern times”.
Tourism group Destinations Broome added on Facebook that he was a “rare breed with nothing but good vibes” who “made Broome a better place”.
The self-taught astronomer has often spoken of his passion for helping people better understand the night sky.
“When you think of astronomy, it usually comes in the form of something that already exists,” he told ABC News in 2017.
“But the way I see it is, we’re on a planet. We’re moving through space.
“I can take these things from your head and put them at your feet.”
