I presume one justification for the article by Adam Trimingham captioned “Can’t forget bad things about Moore” could be that we must always be given a balanced view of the world (The Argus, December 19).

However, there are times when a warts-and-all exposé is not necessary.

I never met Sir Patrick Moore, though I regularly watched and enjoyed The Sky At Night for almost 30 years, and have to assume the comments made from Adam’s personal knowledge may be accurate.

However, he extrapolates his views on Moore’s autobiography to suggest his other books were “full of opinionated bombast”.

As he does not appear to have read them, this seems to be unfair criticism.

The publishers obviously felt the books had commercial appeal or it would not have continued to accept them.

How does Adam know what Sir Patrick’s earnings were?

And as far as his music goes, why does it have to be in the public domain? Can’t someone create something for their own pleasure?

What was wrong with “propping up Patrick Moore”, as he rather dismissively puts it, so that he could continue to give pleasure to others?

Surely we all need support from others at times – newspaper columnists included.

This is supposed to be the season of goodwill to all men – or is it just the season of goodwill to all men who happen to be living and are able to take action if they consider comments to be untrue or unfair?

Our idols may well have feet of clay, but do we have to have all our illusions shattered just to fill a newspaper?

Who will be the next target for Adam Trimingham’s pen?

Can we expect shocking revelations later this month about what he believes Santa Claus gets up to during those long cold winter nights at the North Pole?

Russell Ridout, Howlett Drive, Hailsham

I found the hatchet job by Adam Trimingham to be in poor taste – especially as poor old Patrick is not yet in his grave.

Patrick Moore had, like other people of his generation, opinions which do not fit neatly into the “politically correct” pigeon-hole, but knew that, despite our prejudices and personal foibles, the stars we see when we look up into the sky at night will still be shining when we are dust and gone.

Brian Halls, Carnforth Road, Sompting

Adam seems to have some deep seated axe to grind.

Perhaps he should shift the target his rapier to people who are actually spoiling the quality of life in our society, not those who have inspired generations of people all over the world.

David King, Penlands Vale, Steyning

What saddens me nowadays is the need for the press to dig up dirt on celebrities who have passed away.

There is no opportunity for the deceased to defend themselves. It is just published for sensationalism.

Everyone has personal opinions, and I am sure Adam would be disappointed if an article was published after his death without praising the good things he did in life.

Patrick was an inspiration to many thousands of people all over the world to take up astronomy, including Brian Cox and Brian May, right down to myself and my grandson Alex (Letters, December 13), who met him this year.

As for being a doubtful expert in astronomy, ask the Russians who circumnavigated the Moon after visiting Patrick for advice, or the numerous astronauts who consulted him.

Even in his old age when he was very disabled he still continued to work hard to bring astronomy to the common man.

I had the pleasure of knowing him to be a warm, intelligent and knowledgeable person and he will live on in my memory.

Robin Durant, Adur Astronomical Society