Readers of The Catholic Astronomer, did you catch the little discussion of Catholic Astronomers on a recent episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? Neil deGrasse Tyson was the guest (apparently Tyson is Colbert’s most frequent guest) and he prompted a short discussion of the astronomical connection of many holidays, which in turn lead into a discussion of Pope Gregory XIII and the Gregorian Calendar, Jesuit Astronomers, the Vatican Observatory, Fr. Georges Lemaître and the Big Bang theory, and the science of “Team RC” (i.e. “Team Roman Catholic”). Wow—astronomy and history on late night television! And, the exchange was entertaining and the information was accurate enough. So, for this astronomer-and-historian-of-science-who-writes-for-the-Vatican-Observatory, it was a good day! Check out the Colbert-Tyson discussion below:
If you want to know more about these topics that Colbert and Tyson touched upon, they are topics that are well-covered in the Vatican Observatory Faith and Science on-line resource. Have a look and explore:
Calendars and Pope Gregory XIII—click here
The Vatican Observatory—click here (seven pages of entries related to the V.O.!)
Jesuit Astronomers—click here
Lemaître and the Big Bang theory—click here
Or just browse the whole resource (and it is searchable, too)—click here.
