astronomy

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.

The podcasts are available on several platforms and they feature one of the pope’s own Jesuit astronomers speaking with a notable figure in the world of space exploration or science.

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.

Jesuit Father Jose Funes, an expert in galaxies and extragalactic astronomy, has addressed the problem of “estimating the probabilities of causal contacts between civilizations in the galaxy.”

Jesuit Father Richard D’Souza sees his appointment to the Vatican Observatory as a great complement to his priestly vocation. In both areas, he sees a call to search for meaning and understanding of God’s creation, he said.

Scientists and people of faith always must admit they don’t know everything, and they must never be afraid to explore and discover more, Pope Francis told astronomy students and experts.

Science teacher Jane Irwin isn’t often left without words, but the total solar eclipse left her in a quiet, reflective mood.

The quest to find life on other planets got a boost when astronomers confirmed the existence of at least seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a red dwarf star just 40 light years away.