In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as International World Bicycle Day. The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognizes "the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two […]
Join Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ and a few students from the 2023 Vatican Observatory Summer School. We'll discuss what brought them to Italy, what they've enjoyed most so far (besides the food) and what they hope to achieve in the future.
Charles Babbage (1791-1871), computer pioneer, designed two classes of engine, Difference Engines, and Analytical Engines. Difference engines are so called because of the mathematical principle on which they are based, […]
The summer solstice is the day when the Sun appears to reach its highest point in the sky during the year - it marks the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
International Asteroid Day is a United Nations-recognized day observed each year on the anniversary of the Tunguska impact event of June 30, 1908.
Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is the national day of Canada. A federal statutory holiday, it celebrates the anniversary of July 1, 1867, the effective date of the Constitution Act, 1867 (then called the British North America Act, […]
Thomas Harriot was an English astronomer, mathematician, ethnographer and translator who made advances within the scientific field. Thomas Harriot was recognized for his contributions in astronomy, mathematics, and navigational techniques. Harriot worked closely with John White to create advanced […]
Independence Day is a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776.
Mars Pathfinder was launched December 4, 1996 and landed on Mars' Ares Vallis on July 4, 1997.
Venus and Mars are Alright Tonight! There is a conjunction of Venus, Mars and the star Regulus in the western sky after sunset on July 5th.
Thomas Samuel Kuhn (1922–1996) is one of the most influential philosophers of science of the twentieth century,
Gregor Johann Mendel (1822– 1884) was a biologist, meteorologist, mathematician, Augustinian friar and abbot of St. Thomas' Abbey in Brünn (Brno), Margraviate of Moravia.
The Delta Aquariids are active beginning in mid-July and are visible until late-August. These faint meteors are difficult to spot, and if there is a moon you will not be […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
Br. Guy gives a talk at Mount Wilson Observatory, Saturday, Aug 26, followed by stargazing through huge telescopes!
Br. Guy gives the inaugural Amelia Earhart Lecture on Adventure and Exploration at the LA Central Library's Mark Taper Auditorium, Sunday, Aug 27
Bob Trembley will give an online talk about exoplanets for the Detroit Public Library
Frank Donald Drake (May 28, 1930 – September 2, 2022) was an American astronomer and astrophysicist. He was involved in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, including the founding of SETI.
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September in any given year (i.e. a single day from September 1 through September 7) to honor and recognize […]
Share an evening with Br. Guy Consolmagno as he discusses a couple of his books at the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos - September 6, 2023
Michigan's Largest Free Astronomy Event - 27th Year! This is an in-person event, with live telescope viewing starting at 4:00 PM with solar observing, and going till midnight with several […]
Fall begins with the autumnal equinox - in the Northern Hemisphere, it's the September equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the equinox in March.
The first asteroid sample collected in space by NASA will arrive on Earth Sunday, Sept. 24, and there are multiple events leading up to its landing. NASA’s live coverage of the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, […]
Join us Sept. 29—Oct. 2, 2023 in Tucson, AZ for events celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope
Brother Guy speaks at the Mystical Rose Oratory, Chaminade University. Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The Cassini mission to Saturn is one of the most ambitious efforts in planetary space exploration ever mounted. A joint endeavor of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the […]
Mark your calendar for October 25 at 6:00pm for a dialogue on faith and science featuring: Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J., Director of the Vatican Observatory Dr. Peter Saulson, Professor Emeritus […]
A partial lunar eclipse will take place on this day - it will be completely visible over Europe and most of Asia and Africa.
Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J. discusses the worldwide outreach done by the Vatican Observatory, and the advanced astronomical being done by Adjunct Scholars and Jesuit scientists on staff. There will be […]
The planet Venus appears 1.0° south of the Moon on this date. Closest approach is at 3:38 AM ET in the eastern sky
Celebrated every 10 November, World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on […]
Active from October 13th to December 2nd, 2021, peaks Nov 11-12th
Uranus will be in opposition to the Sun on this date; this is when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and Uranus.
Albertus Magnus , also known as Saint Albert the Great was born on this date in 1206
Philosophy is the study of the nature of reality and existence, of what is possible to know, and of right and wrong behavior. It comes from the Greek word phílosophía, meaning […]
Active from November 3rd to December 2nd, peaks Nov 17-18th
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe (Spanish: Virgen de Guadalupe), is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a series of five Marian apparitions in December […]
Saint Lucy's Day, also called Lucia Day or the feast of Saint Lucy, is a Christian feast day observed on 13 December. The observance commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, an early-4th-century virgin martyr under the Diocletianic Persecution, who according to legend brought […]
The Ursids peak just before Christmas with rates of 5-10 meteors per hour during the late morning hours.
The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of Earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun.
Christmas Eve is on December 24 and marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve. Many churches mark the end […]
Earth will be at the closest point in its orbit around the Sun on this date - 91,403,034 miles.
The Moon is at Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – rising around midnight, and visible to the south after sunrise.
The star Spica will appear 2.0°S of Moon on this date.
The Quadrantids have the potential to be the strongest shower of the year but usually fall short due to the short length of maximum activity (6 hours) and the poor weather experienced during early January. The average hourly rate is 25 meteors per hour.
Epiphany also known as Theophany in the east, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation (theophany) of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. Articles about the Feast of the Epiphany on the VO Faith and Science […]
"Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination […]
Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates His […]
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday (also Holy and […]
The "Great American Eclipse" occurs on this date - don't miss it!
When we think that following science is a sure way to get to all the right answers, we misunderstand the nature and history of science
Br. Guy discusses what he does as a Vatican Astronomer
On this day, Mars it closest to the Sun in its orbit.
Mercury will reach its greatest separation from the Sun on this date.
Uranus will pass close to the Sun in the sky as its orbit carries it around the far side of the solar system from the Earth.
Earth will be at the farthest point in its orbit around the Sun on this date
Mercury will appear close to the crescent Moon in the west-northwestern sky before sunset.
Join VOF emeritus Board member James Renn for a discussion about the history of the Vatican Observatory at the Franciscan Renewal Center (The Casa)
At the invitation of the Holy Father Pope Francis, ”Rome, Saint John Lateran, 11 February 2022, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes” we call upon the Confraternities of […]
A comet. called a sungrazer, is passing VERY close to the Sun - right now!
Saturn will pass within 0.1° of Saturn on this date.
Br. Guy Consolmagno presents the concept of God as Creator is not tied to any particular cosmology, but has endured even as our scientific cosmologies have radically changed. The traditional […]
Br. Guy Consolmagno to speak at Faith AND Science workshop at the MAPS Air Museum
Spend an evening with Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ - Director of the Vatican Observatory 6PM Thursday Nov. 14, 2024 Cosponsored by Saint Ignatius College Prep and the Lumen Christi Institute Tully Hall […]
Br. Guy Consolmagno to give the 2024 Von Hügel Lecture at St Edmund's College
Please help support our yearly outreach - giving astrophoto calendars to prison inmates.
A celebration in honor of Br. Guy's newest book, a Jesuit's Guide to the Stars
James Renn, a member of the Vatican Observatory Foundation's Council of Advisors will be giving this talk at the Holland Center in Scottsdale, AZ, Tue., Feb. 4, at 6 pm
The planet Venus is a Perihelion (its closest approach to the Sun) on this date.
The Moon will pass into Earth’s shadow and appear to turn red on the night of March 13 or early in the morning on March 14.
Join Brother Guy Consolmagno, Director of the Vatican Observatory, on Saturday, March 29th, for a day of discovery as we explore how to find God in the universe.
Astronomers Without Borders brings the world together to share our passion of astronomy and the wonders of the Universe.
Spend an evening with Br. Guy Consolmagno - Director of the Vatican Observatory, and President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. Br. Guy will discuss his new book A Jesuit's Guide […]
The Moon is at First quarter on this date -it will be visible high in the southern sky in early evening.
Br. Guy Consolmagno will lead this retreat which will explore the close connection between Ignatian spirituality and astronomy.
Mars will be at the farthest point in its orbit around the Sun on this date - 154,425,919.9 miles.
The Moon is at Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – rising around midnight, and visible to the south after sunrise.
Peak: ~Apr 21-22, 2020 The Lyrids are a medium strength shower that usually produces good rates for three nights centered on the maximum. These meteors also usually lack persistent trains […]
Curious about God, the cosmos and you?You can ask the Pope’s astronomer!Come with your curiosity and questions to hear Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ, 7:00 pm, Thursday, April 24, 2025, at […]
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 […]
Volunteers from the Vatican Observatory Foundation will discuss the Church’s historical views on the interaction of Faith and Science as well as theological thoughts based on the book Science and […]
Venus's 225-day orbit around the Sun will carry it to its furthest point to the Sun – its aphelion – at a distance of 0.73 AU.
