FAIRFIELD—Meet Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, SJ, at the intersection of science and theology and embark with him on a conversation titled “Adventures of a Vatican Astronomer” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Presented by Fairfield University’s Office of Mission & Ministry, this event is free and open to the public; register to attend at quickcenter.com.
Known widely as “the Pope’s astronomer,” Br. Consolmagno is both a Jesuit brother and a planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory, splitting his time between the meteorite collection in Rome and the Vatican telescope in Arizona. Thanks to his Vatican connections, his work has sent him around the world — several times — to dozens of countries and every continent, including a meteorite hunting expedition to Antarctica.
During his talk at the Quick Center, Br. Consolmagno said that he will “share some of those adventures, and reflect on the larger meaning of our common experience as scientists… not only what we do, but why we do it.”
The coauthor of two astronomy books, Turn Left at Orion and Worlds Apart, Br. Consolmagno is also the author or co-author of four books exploring faith and science issues, including The Way to the Dwelling of Light, Brother Astronomer, God’s Mechanics, and Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?
He has hosted science programs for BBC Radio 4, has been interviewed in numerous documentary films, and has appeared on The Colbert Report. In 2000, the International Astronomical Association (IAU) named an asteroid after him, Asteroid 4597 Consolmagno, in honor of his contributions to the study of meteorites and asteroids.
In 2018, Br. Consolmagno delivered the Commencement address to Fairfield’s Class of 2018 and received an honorary degree from the university for his contributions to the field of science.
Originally from Detroit, Br. Consolmagno earned his BS and MS degrees in earth and planetary studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his PhD in planetary science from the University of Arizona. He was a postdoctoral fellow and lecturer at the Harvard Observatory from 1978 to 1980, and continued as a postdoc and lecturer at MIT.
In 1983, Br. Consolmagno left MIT to join the U.S. Peace Corps and serve in Kenya for two years, teaching physics and astronomy. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1985, he taught physics at Lafayette College prior to entering the Jesuit order in 1989 and taking vows as a Jesuit brother in 1991. Br. Consolmagno also studied philosophy and theology at Loyola University Chicago, and physics at the University of Chicago, prior to his assignment to the Vatican Observatory in 1993.
This event is free and open to the general public. Register to attend at quickcenter.com.
