Astronomy

The Latest

A total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse through a lens of faith

Apr 7, 2024

By Judy Roberts

When the total solar eclipse occurs on April 8, many will be looking skyward to observe the phenomenon from a... Read more

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At Vatican Observatory, astronomers reveal thousands of newly discovered galaxies

Oct 20, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The findings at the October conference “pave the road for a better understanding of the structure of the Milky Way... Read more

Galaxy M74.

Pope Francis to young astronomers: Keep love and wonder alive

Jun 20, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

In the vastness of space, keep love and wonder alive, Pope Francis told astronomers of the Vatican Observatory Summer School. Read more

NASA’s Webb captures a dying star’s Final ‘Performance’ in fine detail: A planetary nebula, shaped like an irregular oval, with lacy, reddish orange plumes of gas and dust.

Vatican astronomer: Webb telescope space images are ‘food for the human spirit’

Jul 14, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The first images from the James Webb space telescope reveal God’s creation and feed our souls, a Jesuit brother and... Read more

The Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope in Graham County, Arizona.

Vatican Observatory announces discovery of 'trans-Neptunian object'

Feb 10, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The Vatican Observatory recently announced the discovery of an object in the solar system orbiting the sun at a distance... Read more

Br. Guy Consolmagno at the Vatican Observatory in Italy on Nov. 22, 2013.

Is the rare ‘Christmas Star’ visible this December the Star of Bethlehem?

Dec 10, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The “Great Conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn taking place this month -- dubbed the “Christmas Star” -- is a pretty... Read more

Perseid meteor shower.

In August, watch this meteor shower named for a saint

Aug 11, 2020

Star-gazing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when Catholics think of St. Lawrence, the early Christian... Read more

Research astronomer Fr. Christopher Corbally. Courtesy of Fr. Corbally

Catholic priest ‘thoroughly surprised’ to have asteroid named after him

Jun 26, 2020

Somewhere between Mars and Jupiter there is a hunk of rock that now bears the name of a living English... Read more

Galaxy M74.

Astronomers recommend renaming Hubble's law to honor Belgian priest

Nov 3, 2018

The International Astronomical Union has voted in favor of a recommendation to rename the Hubble law the Hubble-Lemaître law, to... Read more

A total solar eclipse.

Vatican astronomer: solar eclipse recalls beauty, truth of creation

Aug 21, 2017

As Americans prepare to view a total solar eclipse passing from Oregon to South Carolina, the director of the Vatican... Read more

Br. Guy Joseph Consolmagno, SJ, at UNISPACE+50, in Vienna, Austria, June 21-22, 2018. Courtesy of the Holy See Mission Vienna

Vatican astronomers unlock the mysteries of the universe…sort of

Jan 8, 2015

By Jan Bentz, Kate Veik

Vatican astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno was 30 years old and just starting his career as an astronomer when he faced... Read more

Br. Guy Consolmagno speaks with CNA on Nov. 22 2013 at the Vatican Observatory in Rome

Vatican launches astronomy class for parish educators

Mar 24, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Vatican’s Observatory has announced that for the first time it will be hosting a workshop analyzing the relationship of... Read more

Br. Guy Consolmagno at the Living the Catholic Faith Conference in Denver, Colo. on March 3, 2012.

Vatican astronomer says 'God particle' is misnamed, but exciting

Jul 6, 2012

While it has no direct bearing on theology or revelation, the scientific discovery hailed by some as the “God particle”... Read more