Reopening of the summer course at the Vatican Observatory for aspiring astronomers

EWTN News Nightly feature showing summer school students from the Vatican Observatory meeting with Pope Francis

Newsroom in Washington, D.C., August 24, 2022, 16:15 (CNA).

Following a halt in activities due to the worldwide pandemic, the Vatican Observatory will restart its four-week summer school in June of next year, enabling aspiring astronomers and astrophysicists to get first-hand knowledge in the area of astronomy.

Chris Graney, an astronomer and science historian at the Vatican Observatory, recently talked with EWTN News Nightly about the history of the summer school, the experiences it offers, and the diversity of its enrollees. The program, which is located in Castel Gandolfo, close to Rome, has traditionally allowed students to delve deeply into astronomy while also getting a taste of Italian culture.

Father George Coyne, who served as director for the majority of Pope John Paul II’s reign, established the Vatican Observatory Summer School back in 1986, according to Graney.

Coyne and astronomer Father Martin McCarthy came up with the concept for a summer program for college students interested in astronomy or astrophysics.

The subjects studied at the summer school vary from year to year, according to Graney.

For instance, varied subjects have included water in the solar system or star clusters, according to Graney. This year’s emphasis at the summer school is on using big data to learn about the cosmos.

Graney also discussed some of the program’s previous highlights, such as visits to historical places in Rome and the opportunity to see celestial phenomena. Students happened to be in class one especially memorable year when Venus crossed the sun. According to Graney, the school provides both lecture-based and interaction-based learning.

Graney spoke about new James Webb telescope photos and the intriguing relationship between the telescope and the Vatican Observatory summer school throughout the conversation.

Graney noted that George and Marcia Reiki, two scientists working on the infrared cameras for the telescope, had previously taught at the summer school run by the Vatican Observatory. “We will be able to view a variety of things with this telescope, particularly when it comes to peering back at the very early Universe.