Posts Tagged ‘Vatican Observatory’

Vatican Observatory publishes new method to better understand the Big Bang theory

Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Two priests and cosmologists from the Vatican Observatory have made further progress in developing a new mathematical method to understand the Big Bang theory, which describes the universe’s first moments. Fathers Gabriele Gionti, SJ, and Matteo Galaverni introduced the new and promising mathematical tool in a 2022 article published in the prestigious journal Physical Review Read more

Latest batch of named asteroids includes three Jesuit astronomers and a pope

Thursday, February 16th, 2023

Recently the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN) published their latest batch of named asteroids (WGSBN Bulletin 3, #2; Feb 7 2023). Included in the list are three Jesuits who have worked at the Vatican Observatory and one Pope with importance to the history of the Observatory. 562971 Johannhagen is Read more

Vatican astronomers make two new discoveries in space

Thursday, February 24th, 2022

Two Jesuit astronomers from the Vatican Observatory were part of recent discoveries: one finding a new member of the solar system and another finding evidence for a long-lost galaxy “eaten up” by the Milky Way. Jesuit Father Richard Boyle discovered the existence of a new object, named “2021 XD7,” in the outer solar system past Read more

Vatican observatory’s new website showcases Church’s support for science

Monday, April 12th, 2021

The Vatican astronomical observatory’s new website has a mission: to show the world the Catholic Church’s support of science and scientific research. The new website has hundreds of resources on faith and science. The observatory has also started a podcast that explores “the wonder of God’s universe”. Vatican astronomers and expert guests contribute to the Read more

Science, to become ‘intimate’ with God, by Brother Consolmagno, SJ

Thursday, September 7th, 2017

“Science is a wonderful way to experience an intimate sentiment with Creation and, by it, to become intimate with the Creator,” said the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno. In the pages of the Italian daily La Repubblica, he revealed that he venerates “the God of joy” through science. The American astronomer spoke about Read more

Vatican – science, faith and the big bang

Thursday, May 11th, 2017

A conference themed around the big bang is being held at the Vatican Observatory this week in honour of Monsignor George Lemaitre SJ who came up with the theory in 1927. Pope Francis called for the conference. The agenda the world leading scientists, astrophysicists, cosmologists and other experts are discussing includes “black holes, gravitational waves Read more

Pope’s Astronomer, Guy Consolmagno, to speak on Waiheke Island

Friday, July 29th, 2016

Brother Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, will be speaking at an event on Waiheke Island in mid September. Consolmagno is a Jesuit brother and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. He’ll discuss the interface between science and humanity, our place in the universe and what it means to us if life is found Read more

Guy Consolmagno, chief astronomer at the Vatican

Tuesday, July 5th, 2016

Brother Guy Consolmagno is the director of the Vatican Observatory and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, he studied Earth and Planetary Sciences at MIT for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and at the University of Arizona for his doctorate. During a break in his studies he spent two years teaching Read more

Bride says gift not enough – asks for more

Friday, May 13th, 2016

A bride has caused outrage after emailing a guest complaining a £100 gift cheque was not enough. The unnamed guest posted on Mumsnet asking for advice after the bride – an ex-colleague – told her the financial donation of £100 had left her and the groom “surprised”. The message added: “In view of your own Read more

Little-known nuns helped map the stars

Tuesday, May 10th, 2016

The history of astronomy is riddled with underappreciated women who looked to the stars long before their scientific contributions were recognized. But the constellation of early women astronomers is glowing brighter, writes Carol Glatz for Catholic News Service, with the recognition of four once nameless nuns who helped map and catalog half a million stars in Read more