Paul G. AbelDr Paul Abel is an astronomer, mathematician and a co-presenter on the BBC’s The Sky at Night. Paul has written for many popular astronomy magazines promoting amateur astronomy and the science that amateurs can contribute to the field. He regularly gves talks to various astronomical societies and speaks at astronomical events. Amateur astronomy has played an enormous role in his life; in his words “I wasn’t just bitten by the astronomy bug, but completely savaged by it!” Since a young age he has been interested in astronomy; an enthusiasm fuelled by Sir Patrick Moore, with whom he communicated from the age of 12.  It was at Sir Patrick’s request that he joined the BBC’s The Sky at Night team in 2009. Paul has an observatory in his garden (or converted garden shed, to give it its real name), which houses his telescope. From there he makes frequent observations of the Moon and the planets. He is a visual observer and prefers to draw what he sees and records his own observations in log books. Dr Abel is currently an Astronomer in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Leicester, where he teaches and looks into the mysteries of Hawking Radiation. He trained as a mathematician, and his PhD is in an area of Theoretical Physics concerned with evaporating black holes. Paul is currently assistant director of the Saturn section of the British Astronomical Association, and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.     Read More Read Less