Calendar
Mercury at Aphelion
Mercury's 88-day orbit around the Sun will carry it to its furthest point to the Sun – its aphelion – at a distance of 0.47 AU.
Thomas Kuhn born 1922
Thomas Samuel Kuhn (1922–1996) is one of the most influential philosophers of science of the twentieth century,
J. G. Mendel born 1822
Gregor Johann Mendel (1822– 1884) was a biologist, meteorologist, mathematician, Augustinian friar and abbot of St. Thomas' Abbey in Brünn (Brno), Margraviate of Moravia.
St. Ignatius Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits.
Ignatius of Loyola (Basque: Ignazio Loiolakoa; Spanish: Ignacio de Loyola; Latin: Ignatius de Loyola; c. 23 October 1491 – 31 July 1556) was a Spanish Basque Catholic priest and theologian, who co-founded the religious order called the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and became its first Superior General at Paris in 1541. The Jesuit order served the Pope as missionaries, and they were bound by a vow of special obedience to the sovereign pontiff in […]
First Quarter Moon 2025
The Moon is at First quarter on this date -it will be visible high in the southern sky in early evening.
St Dominic, Patron of Astronomers, d. 1221
The liturgical celebration of St Dominic is on August 6 which is his deathday, in 1221 - his birthday is August 8.
Many sources state that St Dominic is the patron saint of astronomy and astronomers.
Full Moon
The Full Moon rises at sunset, and is visible all night. The Vatican Observatory's monthly Full Moon Meetup for Sacred Space Astronomy subscribers is held at 10:00 AM Tucson time.
VOF Moonth-ly Meetup with Saige Wilson
Join us for a Full Moon Meetup with Saige Wilson, the VOF's 2025 summer intern
Perseids Meteor Shower
The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere. The Perseids are active from July 17 to August 24, peaking on August 12 - 13.
Perseids Meteor Shower 2025
The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower - they peak on the evening of Aug. 12-13, 2025
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is, according to the beliefs of numerous Churches, the bodily taking up of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. The analogous feast in the Eastern Churches is known as the Dormition of the Theotokos. In the churches that observe it, the Assumption is a major feast day, commonly celebrated on 15 […]
Last Quarter Moon 2025
The Moon is at Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – rising around midnight, and visible to the south after sunrise.
Last Quarter Moon
The Moon is at Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – rising around midnight, and visible to the south after sunrise.
New Moon 2025
New Moon. By the modern definition, New Moon occurs when the Moon and Sun are at the same geocentric ecliptic longitude. The part of the Moon facing us is completely in shadow then. Pictured here is the traditional New Moon, the earliest visible waxing crescent, which signals the start of a new month in many […]