Director of Vatican Observatory to Speak on Behalf of 550th Jubilee of Nicholas Copernicus and His Research

Known as “The Pope’s Astronomer,” Br. Pope Francis named Guy the Director of the Vatican Observatory in September 2015. He is also an American research astronomer, physicist, religious brother, and President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. Consolmagno is a native of metro Detroit who attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He then studied planetary science and obtained his S.B. (1974) and S.M. (1975) degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and his Ph.D. (1978) from the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

Br. Guy’s research focuses on the connections between meteorites and asteroids and the origin and evolution of small bodies in the solar system. In addition to over 40 refereed scientific papers, he has co-authored several books on astronomy for the famous market, which have been translated into multiple languages.

In 1996, he took part in the Antarctic Search for Meteorites, ANSMET, where he discovered several meteorites on the ice fields of Antarctica. An asteroid was named in his honor, IAU, in 2000 – 4597 Consolmagno - by the International Astronomical Union.

On July 2, 2014, he was awarded the Carl Sagan Medal for outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the public by the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society.

“As the Associate Director for Polonia Affairs at the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake, it is my honor to share our organization’s collaboration that bridges the astronomical legacy of our cherished Nicholas Copernicus with the distinguished research of Brother Guy Consolmagno and the Vatican Observatory. This collaboration celebrates the monumental 550th Jubilee of Copernicus and highlights the enduring quest for knowledge that transcends time and unites cultures. We are deeply honored to host such an event that resonates with the rich tapestry of our Polish heritage and the global scientific community.”

The evening event is free and open to the public. The program starts at 6:30 PM in the Galeria across from the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. John Paul II. Don’t miss this historic visit and presentation!