Witty and thought provoking, two Vatican astronomers shed provocative light on some of the strange places where religion and science meet.“Imagine if a Martian showed up, all big ears and big nose like a child’s drawing, and he asked to be baptized. How would you react?” —Pope Francis, May, 2014Pope Francis posed that question—without insisting on an answer!—to provoke deeper reflection about inclusiveness and diversity in the Church. But ...

With an "adroit and self-effacing style," a Catholic brother, astronomer and physicist explains how scientists and engineers make sense of religion.In God's Mechanics, Brother Guy tells the stories of those who identify with the scientific mindset—so-called "techies"—while practicing religion. A self-decribed techie, astronomer, physicist and Director of the Vatican Observatory, Brother Guy shares some classic philosophical reflections, as well as his inte...

With over 100,000 copies sold since first publication, this is one of the most popular astronomy books of all time. It is a unique guidebook to the night sky, providing all the information you need to observe a whole host of celestial objects. With a new spiral binding, this edition is even easier to use outdoors at the telescope and is the ideal beginner's book. Keeping its distinct one-object-per-spread format, this edition is also designed for Dobsonian telescopes, as well as for smalle...

How does a scientist find God in the universe? Finding God in the Universe is the personal reflection of a Jesuit brother and astronomer, the director of the Vatican Observatory. Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, insists that science is more than observing the universe; it's learning how to pay attention, how to concentrate on one aspect while setting aside, at least momentarily, all the other interesting aspects that can distract us from a deeper knowledge of the universe--or of God. In his tellin...

Angelo Secchi was a key figure in 19th century science. An Italian Jesuit and scientist, he helped lead the transition from astronomy to astrophysics and left a lasting legacy in the field. Secchi’s spectral classification of stars was a milestone that paved the way for modern astronomical research. He was also a founder of modern meteorology and an innovator in the design and development of new instruments and methods across disciplines.This contributed volume collects together re...

Laudato Si’ insists on a revolutionary human response to the public challenges of our time concerning the ecological crisis. The volume takes up the revolutionary spirit of Pope Francis and speaks to the economic, technological, political, educational, and religious changes needed to overcome the fragile relationships between humans and Earth. This volume identifies various systemic factors that have produced the anthropogenic ecological crisis that threatens the planet and uses the ethica...

Two leading scientists from the Vatican Observatory explore profound questions of faith and science through the lives of contributions of great Catholic scientists.Tracing back across 1,000 years of history, you’ll reflect on the role of faith in science with Dr. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, nicknamed the “Pope’s Astronomer,” and his friend and colleague Dr. Michelle Francl-Donnay, an award-winning professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College.Beginning with a brief ...

What can Galileo’s extraordinary life and profound legacy teach us today?Galileo''s story is a touchstone in debates about science and religion, but our preconceptions inevitably color the way we see the issues. To understand who Galileo was, what he accomplished, and what you can learn from his triumphs and failures, you need a great teacher to place him in context by exploring the cosmologies, political and religious and historical events, and famous people of his generation. You...

Let the beauty of astronomy inspire your contemplation of creation.An Introduction to the Universe: The Big Ideas of Astronomy will give you a deeper appreciation of the sky and our ever-growing understanding of astronomy. Your guide for this journey through the cosmos is Dr. Guy Consolmagno (Ph.D., University of Arizona), a renowned astronomer and director of the Vatican’s astronomical observatory. In his engaging lectures, you’ll deepen your sense of joy as you gaze at t...

Explore the big questions of science and religion with a Jesuit astronomer.While science and religion have often been seen as contradictory forces, in reality they complement each other. Indeed, Catholics have often been at the forefront of scientific discovery; the Augustinian friar Gregor Mendel innovated the study of genetics, and the Jesuit Georges Lemaître first proposed the Big Bang Theory. More recently, Pope Francis issued Laudato Si, an encyclical that add...

Witty and thought provoking, two Vatican astronomers shed provocative light on some of the strange places where religion and science meet.“Imagine if a Martian showed up, all big ears and big nose like a child’s drawing, and he asked to be baptized. How would you react?” —Pope Francis, May, 2014Pope Francis posed that question—without insisting on an answer!—to provoke deeper reflection about inclusiveness and diversity in the Church. But ...

What could be more familiar than the Christmas story--and yet what could be more extraordinary?The cast of characters is strange and exotic: shepherds and magicians, an emperor and a despot, angels, and a baby who is Almighty God. The strangeness calls for an explanation, and this book provides it by examining the characters and the story in light of the biblical and historical context.Bestselling author Scott Hahn who has written extensively on Scripture and the early Chur...