The BBC reports on one little-known but long-term papal pursuit:
For the second time in seven years the Vatican is hosting a scientific conference for astronomers.
More than 200 scientists from 26 countries including the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, Russia, and Japan have gathered in Rome for a five-day meeting on disc galaxies. . . .
Father Jose Funes, the head of the Vatican Observatory, said exciting new discoveries have been made with the help of space telescopes since the Holy See's last meeting on galaxies in 2000.
"Disc galaxies are a hot topic," he said. . . .
What could be called the Vatican's first scientific astronomical observatory was finally set up in 1789 in a building which still exists near the Apostolic Palace, called the Tower of the Winds.
The Holy See's observatory is now located near Tucson -- light pollution having moved it out of Rome long ago -- and features the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope. Photo © 2002-2007 Scott Reynen
Quite a change from Galileo's day.
Posted by: joated | October 01, 2007 at 10:10 AM
joated beat me to it.
The heritics have taken over the Papacy!
Posted by: iamnot | October 01, 2007 at 10:41 AM
I miss John Paul. He seemed so kind and humble.
Posted by: Ana | October 01, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Um, I don't hold the copyright to that photo. I found it online somewhere and published a copy, but I didn't take it and have no idea who did.
Posted by: Scott Reynen | October 10, 2007 at 04:05 PM