Dr. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., is Director of the Vatican Observatory, a leading astronomer and meteoriticist, and a Jesuit brother. He earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Planetary Science from the University of Arizona. Before entering the Jesuits in 1989, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard and MIT, served in the US Peace Corps, and taught university physics at Lafayette College. He has worked as a Vatican Observatory astronomer since 1993.
Br. Consolmagno’s research explores connections between meteorites, asteroids, and the evolution of small solar system bodies. The author of a monthly science column for The Tablet, he has written more than 200 scientific publications and a number of popular books, including Turn Left at Orion (with Dan Davis), and Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? (with Paul Mueller). He has also hosted science programs for BBC Radio 4, appeared in numerous documentary films, and served as chair of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences. In 2000, the small bodies nomenclature committee of the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid, 4597 Consolmagno, in recognition of his work. In 2014, he was awarded the Carl Sagan Medal for public outreach by the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences.
Praise for Guy Consolmagno
“Br. Guy Consolmagno is a gifted scientist, writer, and leader in helping people bridge their scientific and religious understandings of the cosmos. An engaging and entertaining speaker, Br. Guy has a rare talent for communicating abstract concepts to public audiences with remarkable clarity.”
– Dr. Grace Wolf-Chase, Astronomer, Adler Planetarium
“Guy Consolmagno’s presentations are gems. Here is an accomplished scientist with strong interests in science’s history and in communicating science to a diverse public audience — he communicates skillfully to science enthusiasts but also humbly to those who have religious or cultural apprehensions regarding science.”
– Prof. Christopher M. Graney, Author of Setting Aside All Authority: Giovanni Battista Riccioli and the Science against Copernicus in the Age of Galileo
“Br. Guy puts the lie to the post-modern canard that science is the replacement for religion, that one must choose between one’s profession and one’s faith. He does this with humor, wisdom, and deep knowledge.”
– Jonathan Lunine, David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences, Cornell University
“Brother Guy Consolmagno combines an active research career in planetary astronomy with a strong sense of history. He also inspires amateur astronomers the world over, and instructs a wide audience of armchair astronomers through his accessible popular books. He is a voice of authority and a source of enthusiasm for science.”
— Dava Sobel, Author of Galileo’s Daughter
Mark –
Broad overview, but with significant holes
Br. Consolmagno’s presentations covered a wide range of the Galileo controversy and included many details about his life and times that shed much light on the situation. He also presented the material well and was generally easy to follow. This is a good overview for those unfamiliar with the details of the Galileo controversy.
I felt, however, there were some significant issues that were passed over or neglected or were otherwise not given adequate attention. First, the controversy is portrayed as between the Church and Galileo. In actuality, the controversy was as much between Galileo and the current scientific community as between Galileo and the Church. The Church, in fact, was upholding the current scientific consensus as much as it was upholding traditional biblical interpretations. The heat of the debate between the various scientists of the time regarding heliocentrism was not covered well in my opinion. Nor was the significant fact pointed out that the idea of heliocentrism as described by Galileo was simply wrong. The universe does not revolve around the Sun any more than it revolves around the Earth, nor were the major points of evidence presented by Galileo in defense of his teaching correct.
Secondly, Consolmagno did not address the issue of science encroaching upon religion. The presentation of the Galileo controversy often focuses upon religion imposing its views upon science, whereas one of the major concerns of the Church was that Galileo, as a scientist, was insisting the Church change its interpretation of Sacred Scripture based on nothing more than his highly questionable evidence. In other words, Galileo the scientist was pontificating in academic areas outside his field of competence.
These two concerns stood out for me because I purchased the presentations specifically because I was hoping he would address these issues in detail. Otherwise, I enjoyed the presentations very much.
David –
The Galileo series was scholarly, balanced and had a touch of humor
The Galileo series was scholarly, balanced, had a touch of humor and presented, appropriately, the complexity of Galileo and the Church in historical context.
Robert –
It was refreshing to hear an objective voice on the subject.
I’ve heard so much falsehood over the years about the supposed conflict between science and religion. It was refreshing to hear an objective voice on the subject without an ax to grind.
Carlos –
Excellent course!
Excellent course! One learns not only about Galileo´s life, but also about the way science, history, and the Church work.
Fr. Frank –
I very much appreciated the time that was taken to portray the “times” of Galileo.
The “Galileo” CD gave a very good insight into the environment in which the controversy took place and why it played out the way it did. I very much appreciated the time that was taken to portray the “times” of Galileo.
Robert –
Amazing and engaging speaker
Amazing and engaging speaker. Learned a great deal that was totally new to me.
Edward A., OH –
Fall Survey: October 2016
The historical background provided light on the science and politics surrounding Galileo and the Church. The church embroiled in politics but knew Galileo was right and an honest man was comforting but still inexcusable for what it did and I fear what it continues to do today. It is all too human and of the world.
Martha –
Worth reviewing
This is worth reviewing occasionally to arm us with some answers to questions we may have or others who might offer to challenge the interdependence of faith and science.
Marianne –
Easy to understand
Guy is a very good teacher. Even when explaining esoteric content, he makes it easy to understand. Every high school religion and science teacher should have both of Guy’s courses in his or her school.
Ed S., CA –
Winter Survey: January 2017
This is an excellent course that sets the Galileo controversy in perspective. A must for all believers.
Robert P. MD –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Speaker was engaging. Information was largely new to me. Insight was amazing. Speaker managed to connect with practical life
Fr. Sinclair O., J.C.L., TX –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Brother Consolmagno places the Galileo controversy in its historical context, and thereby refutes much of the contemporary foolish. His personal life as a religious brother who is a astronomer refutes the foolishness that the Catholic Church is anti-science.
Ed S., CA –
Summer Survey: July 2017
It is an excellent discussion of the compatibility of science and religion. It dispels the myth of the church’s rejection of the sun centered universe, and the big bang theory.
Edward S., CA –
2018 Spring Survey
The course puts the controversy into perspective.
Ed S., CA –
Summer 2018 Survey
It treats a topic over which there has been much confusion and myth and brings clarity to the topic.Ed