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
Jim –
The Church embraces and encourages science for the praise and glory of God.
The Church embraces and encourages science for the praise and glory of God. Modern scientific inquiry often embarks on disproving the metaphysical, the spiritual and religion or is pursued merely because it can be done.
Lee –
The speaker is humorous and engaging.
Dr Consolmagno takes patience to explain really complex scientific theories and helpfully tag others with a comment along the line of “just know about this without struggling to understand too much.” The speaker is humorous and engaging. Above all, the topics are potentially paradigm shifting on how we think about religion.
Rita –
The content, delivery, and illustrations were all wonderful.
The content, delivery, and illustrations were all wonderful.
Paul G. –
Entertaining and educational.
Entertaining and educational. This man knows his stuff.
Rock T. GA –
Fall Survey: October 2016
Brother Guy’s books and lectures are wonderful expositions on science and faith. As a scientist and believer myself, Dr. Consolmagno does a fantastic job of articulating why belief in God and practicing science do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Michael H., NY –
Fall Survey: October 2016
Great presentation.
Ann D. H., USA –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Excellent lecturer, fascinating content
Sharon S., MD –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Fr. Guy Consolmagne’s presentation is excellent for anyone interested in relationship between religion and science.
James S., MO –
Winter Survey: January 2017
This was an excellent course taught by an intelligent teacher with an engaging teaching manner. Highly recommend the course.
Sharon S., MD –
Spring Survey: April 2017
Dr. Guy Consolmagno’s DVD was excellent. I ordered it after reading one of his books.
G. Wayne –
I heard this guy lecture
I heard Dr. Consolmagno speak at St. Ignatius church in San Francisco. He was a fount of knowledge, lucid, fascinating. He answered all questions posed by the audience. I only wish I could have had several more hours of his time, to have him answer more.
Deacon John B., IN –
Summer Survey: July 2017
It was very informative and clearly explained how science and faith are not incompatible. Bro. Guy uses clear examples and humor to get his points across.
David M. D., TN –
Summer Survey: July 2017
Science and Faith are complementary – especially since both are rooted in God. Scripture reveals that God deemed and declared His creation very good.
Thomas B., FL –
2017 Christmas Survey
This was presented in a way most people could understand.
Anonymous –
Summer 2018 Survey
Subject is great. Lecturer is very engaging and entertaining
John R. AZ –
Summer 2018 Survey
I have taken several advanced university physics and cosmology courses recently from a couple of the top professors in the field. I smile (politely inwardly) when they say that the bottom line is, that they don
R.T., MA –
Summer 2018 Survey
A very nice overview of modern physics and cosmology. The speaker was very knowledgeable and engaging.