The Vatican Observatory, Castel Gandolfo: 80th Anniversary Celebration

267 Pages·2018·10.59 MB·English

by  Gabriele Gionti

Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings 51
Gabriele Gionti, S.J.
Editors
Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya Eluo, S.J.
The Vatican
Observatory,
Castel Gandolfo:
80th Anniversary
Celebration
Including the special address from
Pope Francis
Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings
Volume 51
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/7395
Gabriele Gionti, S.J.
Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya Eluo, S.J.
Editors
The Vatican Observatory,
Castel Gandolfo: 80th
Anniversary Celebration
123
Editors
Gabriele Gionti,S.J. Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya Eluo,S.J.
Vatican Observatory Vatican Observatory
Rome Rome
HolySee (VaticanCity State) HolySee (VaticanCity State)
ISSN 1570-6591 ISSN 1570-6605 (electronic)
Astrophysics andSpace Science Proceedings
ISBN978-3-319-67204-5 ISBN978-3-319-67205-2 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67205-2
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Foreword
The history of the universe is made up of a web of stories. Some are cosmic or
biological,andothersareinstitutionalandpersonalstories.Allofthisisthehistory
of salvation that for us believers has Christ, the Crucified and Risen Lord, as the
beginning and end of the entire universe.
Within thisBigHistory,thehistory oftheVaticanObservatory isinscribedand
made of the personal stories of its members. One morning, in one of our daily
meetingsdedicatedtodiscusstheusualbusinessoftheObservatory,Fr.JozefMaj,
S.J.,vice-directorforadministration,proposedtobringtogetherallmembersofthe
staff, including those located at the headquarters of Castel Gandolfo and at the
Vatican Observatory Research Group in Tucson. His suggestion also included the
adjunctscholarsoftheObservatory.Ilikedhisproposalverymuchanddecidedto
callforasymposium.Itshouldbesaidthatbringingtogetherallthestaffmembers
and adjunct scholars was not an easy task; however, the occasion was worth the
effortwemade.Andso,duringtheweekofSeptember14–18,2015,wecelebrated
the eightieth anniversary of the reestablishment of the Observatory at Castel
Gandolfo by Pius XI, who also decreed that its management be entrusted to the
Society of Jesus. On September 18, we concluded the celebration with the joy of
beingreceivedbyPopeFrancisinprivateaudiencejustontheeveofhistriptothe
USA. We appreciated very much the kindness and generosity of Pope Francis for
receiving on such a busy day.
Thisvolumegatherstheproceedingsofthesymposiumbythestaffmembersand
adjunct scholars. It covers a variety of topics ranging across the different fields of
research in astrophysics, as well as the history of Astronomy, interdisciplinary
studies,andthechallengesthatthemissionoftheObservatoryfacesinthedialogue
between science and faith.
The Big History, as well as the history of the Vatican Observatory, has a
promising future because it is filled with God’s surprises. I wish the best to the
current director, Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J., and to the members of the
Observatory. May they fulfill their mission with peace and joy.
Iconcludeonapersonalnote.Thepapalaudiencewasmylastactofdirector.It
wasawonderfulwaytoendmynineyears’tenure.Itwasaprivilegeandanhonor
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vi Foreword
to serve the Holy See at the Vatican Observatory for 15 years. I take this oppor-
tunity to deeply thank Benedict XVI and Francis, who visited the Observatory
showing their interest and support to the work of the Observatory. I am also very
grateful to the Vatican authorities of the Governorate, the Secretariat of State and
other Vatican offices with which I could collaborate, and to the Superiors of the
SocietyofJesuswhosupportedmyworkandprovidedfinementothestaffofthis
research institute. I am profoundly grateful to the Jesuits and employees for their
understanding and support. I am also thankful to the benefactors, friends, and
collaborators who support the Observatory’s mission in so many different ways.
Córdoba, Argentina José G. Funes, S.J.
June 2017 Former director of the Vatican Observatory
Address of His Holiness Pope Francis
The Holy See
To Participants in the Symposium Organized by the Vatican
Observatory
Hall of Popes
Friday, September 18, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I welcome all of you who represent the working community of the Vatican
Observatory, and I thank Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello for introducing our meeting.
“Deum Creatorem venite adoremus.” With these words engraved on a marble
plaque on the wall of one of the telescope domes at the Papal Residence in Castel
Gandolfo, Pius XI began his discourse inaugurating the new Observatory on
September 29, 1935.
Indeed, rather than a scientific problem to be solved, the universe is a joyful
mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise (cf. Encyclical Laudato Si’,
n. 12). “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection
for us” (ibid., n. 84). St Ignatius of Loyola truly understood this language. He
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viii AddressofHisHolinessPopeFrancis
recountedthathisgreatestconsolationwaslookingattheskyandthestarsbecause
this made him feel a tremendous desire to serve the Lord (Autobiography, 11).
With the reestablishment of the Observatory at Castel Gandolfo, Pius XI also
decreedthatitsmanagementbeentrustedtotheSocietyofJesus.Throughoutthese
years, the Observatory astronomers have continued the paths of their research,
creative paths, following in the footsteps of the Jesuit mathematicians and astron-
omersoftheCollegioRomano,fromFrChristophClaviustoFrAngeloSecchi,to
Fr Matteo Ricci, and so many others. On this anniversary, I am also pleased to
recall the discourse that Benedict XVI addressed to the Fathers at the last General
Congregation of the Society of Jesus, in which he stated that the Church has a
pressing need of religious ready to dedicate their life to being on the very frontier
between faith and human knowledge, faith and modern science.
Inthesedays,you,FathersandBrothers,alongwithscholarassociates,gathered
to discuss your research and topics concerning the dialogue between science and
religion. In this regard, St John Paul II stated: “What is important is that the
dialogue should continue and grow in depth and scope” (Letter to Fr George V.
Coyne,SJ, 1June 1988). And he asked: “Isthecommunity oftheworldreligions,
including the Church, ready to enter into a more thoroughgoing dialogue with the
scientificcommunity,adialogueinwhichtheintegrityofbothreligionandscience
is supported and the advance of each is fostered?” (cf. ibid.).
Within the context of interreligious dialogue, now more than ever, scientific
research on the universe can offer a unique perspective, shared by believers and
non-believers,whichcanhelptoachieveadeeperreligiousunderstandingofcreation.
Inthissense,theSchoolsofAstrophysics,whichtheObservatoryhasorganizedinthe
last30years,presentavaluableopportunityforyoungastrophysicistsfromaround
theworldtodialogueandcooperateinthesearchforthetruth.
Additionally during your conference, you also discussed the importance of
communicating that the Church and her Pastors foster, encourage, and promote
authentic science, as Leo XIII emphasized (cf. Motu Proprio Ut Mysticam). It is
very important that you share with people the gift of your scientific knowledge
of the universe, freely giving what you have freely received.
Inthespiritof gratitude totheLord for thewitnessofscienceand faiththat the
membersoftheObservatoryhaveborneinthesedecades,Iwouldliketoencourage
you to continue the journey with your colleagues and with those who share the
enthusiasm and toil of the exploration of the universe. It is a journey that you also
take inthecompanyoftheObservatory staff,ofbenefactorsandfriends,andofso
many people of good will. Yes, we are all on a journey to the common house of
heaven, where we will be able to read with admiration and happiness the mystery
of the universe (cf. Encyclical Laudato Si’, n. 243).
May Almighty God, who sustains in existence the whole universe, through the
intercession of the Virgin Mother, fill you with his peace and bless you.
Vatican City, Vatican City State Pope Francis
Contents
Part I Planetary Science
108 Years of Meteorites at the Vatican Observatory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Robert J. Macke
Near Earth Objects and Their Physical Characterization . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya Eluo, S.J.
Part II Stellar Evolution and Stars
The Enigmatic Lambda Boötis Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Christopher J. Corbally, S.J.
Mapping the Milky Way in the Near-IR:
The Future of the VVV Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Dante Minniti
Some Recent Investigations in Stellar Evolution at the Specola
Vaticana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
David Brown
The Vilnius Photometric System—Studying Stars
and Interstellar Matter at the Vatican Observatory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Richard P. Boyle, S.J. and Robert Janusz, S.J.
Part III Galaxies
Clusters of Galaxies… and Some Jellyfishes in the Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Alessandro Omizzolo
Stellar Haloes of Galaxies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Richard D’Souza
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