Vatican Observatory

The large Active Region is oversized relative to the disc's diameter. This was to allow people to see its shapes clearly and to touch it if they wished.

A Solar Eclipse Adventure in Paint and Grass - Vatican Observatory

The latest on research from the Vatican Observatory, thanks to La Civiltà Cattolica, the Jesuit periodical that has been in publication since 1850.

August 2026 updates on VO Research from La Civiltà Cattolica - Vatican Observatory

The IAU has joined the Asteroids2029 initiative

The launch of Asteroids2029 marks the beginning of a worldwide initiative supporting the UN International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defense. Inspired by the exceptionally close passage of asteroid Apophis in April 2029, over 70 experts and professionals from space agencies, scientific institutions, educational organizations, and communication networks have come together to host events and activities to raise global awareness of asteroids, promote planetary defense, and celebrate international collaboration in understanding and protecting our shared planet.

This past Tuesday, I returned from a brief vacation to visit my parents and was greeted with a wonderful surprise! Going through the mail, there was a large envelop that contained a certificate.

What was the certificate I received?

Every year, the Catholic Media Association recognizes different types of media with their annual awards. CMA is an organization meant to build relationships between Catholic media professionals in all fields. I was humbled to discover that the book I wrote, Behold the Heavens: Discovering God Through the Night Sky, received an Honorable Mention in the Faith and Science category.

In my excitement, I went to the CMA website to see what other books were awarded in the Faith and Science category. Lo and behold I was happy to see another author was recognized that Sacred Space Astronomy readers know quite well. Br. Guy's latest book, A Jesuit Guide to the Stars, was also recognized with an Honorable Mention!

These unexpected gestures of gratitude are always uplifting for me. In my gratitude, I want to personally thank you, the readers of Sacred Space Astronomy. When Our Sunday Visitor reached out to Sacred Space Astronomy to ask if I would be willing to write a book for them, they told me that it was due in part to this blog. Sacred Space Astronomy has blessed my life and my priesthood in so many ways and will continue to do so. In that spirit, thank you to Br. Guy, the Vatican Observatory Foundation, the Jesuits of the VO and all of our readers. Your support and passion for the Vatican Observatory has bore wonderful fruit! Pray that fruit will continue to be produced.

To end with a shameless plug, if you're looking for a couple good reads and haven't checked out Br. Guy's book or my own, pick them up! Their approaches may slightly differ, but the passion comes from the same starting and ending point: A deep passion to explore the beauty of God's creation through the night sky. Click on both books to get the purchasing links.

Thank You Catholic Media Association! Two Books From Sacred Space Astronomy Contributors Receive Recognition - Vatican Observatory This past Tuesday, I returned from a brief vacation to visit my parents and was greeted with a wonderful surprise! Going through the mail, there was a large...

From the Faith & Science Resource Center: This is an article written by Fr. George V. Coyne, S. J. for the 2003 Encyclopedia Of Science And Religion.

From the Vatican Observatory Faith and Science Pages — Religion and Science: Roman Catholicism - Vatican Observatory

Kentucky’s big planetariums are gone. The stars will not again be projected on these domes.

Darkened Planetarium Domes - Vatican Observatory

Today, July 31st, marks the feast day of the founder of the Society of Jesus, St. Ignatius Loyola. His story may be familiar to some of you: he was born into Spanish nobility in 1491. At the Battle of Pamplona in 1591, a cannonball shattered his leg. In his convalescence, he red a number of spiritual books and biographies of saints. This led to his much greater embrace of his Catholic faith, and his eventual founding the Jesuit order in Paris in 1539 with his friends Peter Faber and Francis Xavier. He died on July 31st, 1556.

He wrote frequently about consolation, which Br. Guy experienced to a great degree on his recent retreat. For Br. Guy, consolation comes from the constancy of God's created universe and our continued discovery of its radiant beauty. For you, it might come from being with loved ones, participating in church life, or other myriad ways.

Like Ignatius, we can take that consolation to prayer Prayer, even more than the stars, is our connection to the One who is truly timeless.

Today, we will remember your prayer intentions at Mass as we always do at the Jesuit communities in Rome and Tucson. In turn, we ask you to pray for us; for our work and mission of showing the world of the Church’s support for scientific discovery.

"The greatest consolation he received at this time was from gazing at the sky and stars, and this he often did and for quite a long time.” -Autobiography of St. Ignatius Loyola, n. 11

https://mailchi.mp/vaticanobservatory/feast-of-st-ignatius-of-loyola-16544373

Dr. Larry Lebofsky discusses a wide range of astronomy and space science news in his twice-a-month newsletters.

An article from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, where our own Rob Lorenz, SJ, visited in April. Mr. Lorenz begins his theology studies next month in Toronto; we'll certainly miss him.

Serving as outreach coordinator at the Vatican Observatory’s facility in Tucson, Arizona, second-year regent Rob Lorenz, SJ, visited schools to talk about how the Catholic faith and science go hand in hand. “I remember what it was like to be in school and questioning if faith and science really go together,” he said. “As (students’) worldviews are coming together, I want to be able to use my job to give them a datapoint to remember the Catholic Church supports science.”

Click to read more: https://buff.ly/57aEuxN