Vatican Observatory Archives

‘Vatican star gazer’ says new website promotes Church’s support for science

Apr 9, 2021

Even though there are more than 30 craters on the moon named after Jesuit scientists, to this day there are some who don’t know the Vatican has its own observatory, led of course, by a Jesuit.

By Inés San Martín

Mars missions can inspire next generation scientists, papal astronomer says

Feb 20, 2021

As Perseverance, the latest probe on Mars, gears up to send to Earth high-definition images, video and audio of its surroundings, one papal astronomer said he hoped the fresh new discoveries will inspire future explorers.

By Carol Glatz

Jupiter, Saturn to put on ‘Christmas Star’ show at winter solstice

Dec 9, 2020

A once-every-two-decade conjunction involving the solar system’s two gas giants will give earthbound observers a look at a so-called “Christmas Star” on the winter solstice.

By Dennis Sadowski

Life on Venus? Proof God is bigger than we think, Vatican astronomer says

Sep 17, 2020

The Vatican’s top man on all things outer space has cautioned against getting too speculative about recent findings from a group of astronomers suggesting there could be life on Venus, but said that if anything living does exist on the planet, it doesn’t change the calculus in terms of God’s relationship with humanity.

By Elise Ann Allen

Vatican astronomer becomes 11th Jesuit to have an asteroid named for him

Jun 23, 2020

Father Chris Corbally, a stellar astronomer at the Vatican Observatory, has had his name attached to a rocky body in the asteroid belt that orbits the sun in slightly less than four years.

By Dennis Sadowski

Father George Coyne, astronomer, promoter of science-theology dialogue, dies

Feb 13, 2020

Jesuit Father George V. Coyne, who led the Vatican Observatory as its director for 28 years, got his start in the field of astronomy as a young student in formation for the priesthood by secretly studying under his blanket, flashlight in hand.

By Dennis Sadowski

Through crackly transmission, these two eavesdropped on Apollo 11 landing

Jul 21, 2019

The NASA astronauts didn’t know it, but WHAS radio technician Larry Baysinger and his journalist friend Glenn Rutherford had tapped the frequency of the 12-watt radios — walkie talkie-type communicators — used by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Armstrong on the moon’s surface.

By Marnie McAllister

Pope’s astronomer says moon landing milestone offers lesson in hope

Jul 18, 2019

For Brother Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon is a reminder of how much can be accomplished when humanity pools its creativity and determination toward a common cause.

By Elise Harris