Vatican Observatory Annual Report 2014

ANNUAL REPORT 2014
Vatican Observatory
V-00120 Vatican City State
Vatican Observatory Research Group
Steward Observatory
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA
http://vaticanobservatory.org
Vatican Observatory Publications
Vatican Observatory Staff
5 )&&)1#(!5,5*,'((.5-.5'',-5) 5."5.#(5-,0.),365)(.#&5#&&-5) 5-.&5

()& )65 .&365(5."5.#(5-,0.),35-,"5,)/*5BC65/-)(65,#4)(659
R5
585658
86
Director
R5
5 85
658
86
Vice Director for Administration
R55658
86
Vice Director for VORG
R5 585658

85
R5 585658
8
R55
85 658
86
President, Vatican Observatory Foundation
R5 5
85658
86
President of the National Committee to International

Astronomical Union
R5 5 658

8
R5
7 5 658
8
R55
85 658
86
Curator of the Vatican Meteorite Collection
R5 5 658

86
Emeritus staff
R5585 658

86
Coordinator for Science, Philosophy

and Theology Studies
R55 5

R5 585 658
86
Assistant to the President,
Vatican Observatory Foundation
Adjunct Scholars:
R5 5658
85
R5 5 5
R55
658
85
R5 5
R55
Cover: In this years annual report we meet members of theVatican Observatory team who work at the headquarters in Castel
Gandolfo andVATT in Tucson Arizona alongside our scientists.
Editor: Emer McCarthy

Design and layout: Antonio Coretti
Printed by: TipografiaVaticana
Contents
,)'5."5#,.),
One Specola, One Team
VOSS 2014
Research
(-.,/'(..#)(5;5"(#&5,0#Observatory and Staff Activities
/&#.#)(Observatory Visitors
From
the
Director
ONE SPECOLA
5.#(5-,0.),365%()1(5#(5 .&ian as the Specola Vaticana, carries out
5/(#+/5'#--#)(5#(5-,0#5.)5."5)&35
855#%5(35).",5)-,0.),35#(5."5
world, the history of the Vatican Observatory is determined by the search for
dark skies away from the threat of light
*)&&/.#)(8
Thus in the 1930s with the support of
#/-5 5."5-,0.),35')05 ,)'5
.#(5#.35.)5."5*&5&5#(5-.&5()& )85(,5."5/-*#5) 5#/-5
55"'#.51#7(!&5.&-)*51-5
#(/!/,.5#(5gokm5#(5."5*&5,(-5) 5#&&5,,#(#85
#."5."5)(.#(/)/-&35#(,-#(!5*)*ulation of Rome the skies above the
-,0.),35!#(5'5.))5,#!".85
),5."#-5,-)(5#(5gong65."5.#(5
Observatory opened a research group
.5."5(#0,-#.35) 5,#4)(85#-5&iation with Steward Observatory gave
Vatican astronomers access to many large
telescopes in Southern Arizona, and the
collaboration blossomed in 1993 with
the dedication of the Vatican Advanced
"()&)!35&-)*5BC855)(struction of the telescope and related as.,)*"3-#&5 #&#.#-5)(5 )/(.5,"'5
was made possible through the support
of donors and friends of the Vatican
-,0.),35)/(.#)(5(5-*#&&35
.",)/!"5."5!(,)-#.35) 5 ,85,585
(()(5(5 ,85)'-5
85(((855
VATT has pioneered the new technology
of creating large, lightweight, stable mirrors in a rotating furnace at the Steward
-,0.),35 #,,),58
Thus from its two centers, located at
Castel Gandolfo and at Tucson, the
Observatory is continuing research pro!,'-5(5#(.,(.#)(&5)&&),.#)(85
.5#-55,&5"&&(!5.)5%*5."-5.1)5
centers running that is possible thanks
to the support of the Governatorate of
Vatican City State and to the Superiors
) 5."5)#.35) 5
-/-51")5,5*,)0##(!5
+/&#5'(5 ),5."#-51),%5#(5-,0#5.)5
."5)&35855,5&-)50,35!,. /&5
to our benefactors who are helping us to
,,35)/.5#,(.5*,)$.-85
#-5.#'5 51)/&5&#%5.)5'(.#)(5.1)5
projects that are important and perfectly
respond to the two-fold mission of the
Vatican Observatory: to do good science
and to be witnesses of the Churchs com'#.'(.5.)5#&)!/51#."5."5-#(-8
%()1&!855*,)$.5#-#.),5(.,5
will offer the younger generations a different perspective from the one they get
,)'5."5'#855"#-.),#&5.-.#')(35
of the Vatican astronomers tells more
than words ever can that science and
#."5(5)'*&'(.5"5).",8
This project is being carried out thanks to
."5!(,)/-5)(.,#/.#)(5) 5 ,85),.)5
(5 ,-85 ,#5/..#85
.",5
)4 5 85
58
8650#5#,.),5
),5'#(#-.,.#)(55(5 5"5."5!,.5
)**),./(#.35.)5,# 5."5)&35.",5)(5
these and other projects when we were
,#05#(5*,#0.5/#(5)(5
(/,35
hk85
VATT robotization.5(5 ,"5n655hfgj65

the Vatican Observatory received a very
!(,)/-5!# .5 ,)'5."5*&5)/(tion for the technological update of the
85#."5."#-5!,(.515"05-.,.5
the process of robotizing the VATT in
collaboration with the Steward Observa.),35) 5."5(#0,-#.35) 5,#4)(85 (5."#-5
report we outline the work that has been
completed and future mile-.)(-5 ),5."#-5*,)$.8
The robotization of the
VATT is part of a larger plan
for developing a network of
advanced telescopes in Arizona, the Arizona Robotic
&-)*5.1),%5BC85
(35(15*)--##&#.#-51#&&5
open up for competitive
science at VATT both as a
stand-alone telescope and as
a part of a new cutting-edge
#&#.3855)'*&2#.35) 5
Fr. Funes and Fr. Maj are received in private audience by
working in this context is one
Pope Francis
of the parameters of the proj.51"#"5'355"&&(!#(!85/,.",(5.".5)-#)(5 5&-)5!05.)5)*5
more, VATT continues to operate at this
,(#-55,*),.5*,)/535."5.#time with no disruptions to the observers
can Observatory Advisory Committee
1"#&5/(,!)#(!5'$),5/*!,-85
BC855 (5hfgi5 5**)#(.5(5visory committee of outside experts in
Renovation of the domes. /5.)5."5
astronomy to help us evaluate the work
increasing number of visitors and our
) 5."5-,0.),385 ',-5) 5."#-5
re-evaluation of the Observatorys historinternational committee, representing a
ical heritage, we have started restoration
wide range of astronomical disciplines,
1),%5)(5."5)'-5#(5."5)(.#&5,were asked to evaluate the various activ(-5) 5-.&5()& )85 (5."5,*),.5
ities of the Observatory, looking at dewe will also outline the progress that has
velopments over the past seven years and
(5'5)(5."#-5*,)$.8
anticipating future needs for the next
The domes house two telescopes, the
-0(53,-855 5'5*&35!,. /&5.)5."5
,.5/5#&5BgnogC5(5."5"'#.5
committee members for their generosity
BgokmC651"#"51,50(5."()&)!35
in dedicating their time and professiontelescopes at the time of their construcalism to produce an extremely helpful
.#)(8555)'-5,5#&&35-#./.5.)5
,*),.85551-5 ),'535,85
-")1-5."5)&35]-5)''#.'(.5.)5
,(()5)',(5B/,)*(5)/.",(5
)(.,#/.#(!5.)5."5*,)!,--5) 5-#(.#5
-,0.),3C65,) 85",#-.)*",5 '*35
Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014
B(#0,-#.35) 5,#4)(C65,) 85
)(."(5
/(#(5B),(&&5(#0,-#.3C65,) 85(.5
#((#.#65)(.##5(#0,-#5.&#5
5"#&85
ONE TEAM
The unique mission of the Vatican
Observatory is carried out by one team
-5#(5.1)5&).#)(-85 (5."#-5,*),.5 5
wanted to highlight the work of members of the Vatican Observatory team
and not just that of the Vatican scien.#-.-85 5")*53)/5($)35'.#(!5."'5
as much as we enjoy being part of one
'#&38
51)/&5&#%5.)5-35.".51#."5."#-5.'5#.5
#-5-35.)55."#,5&,85 5'5*,)/5) 5
them and to them goes my deep grati./8
#-53,5)/,5.'5-/,55"/!5&)--85
.5-(-5'5*&35.)5,*),.5."5."5
) 5.",5#&&#'5658
85)(5
,"5hj8551-5&&5")'5.)5."5
),5.5."5,5,.5
-/#.5(.,5
#(5)-5.)-65&# ),(#651",5"51-5
being treated for an aggressive form of
(,855
-/#.5)''/(#.35) 5."5
Vatican Observatory has lost a brother, a
,#(65(5(5)/.-.(#(!5-#(.#-.855
'#--5,85#&&50,35'/"8
ONE DREAM
The Vatican Observatory has been trust5.)5."5
-/#.-535."5)&35855
-/#.5,'5(552*,--535."5
following Spanish words en todo amar
35-,0#,_5B#(5&&5."#(!-65.)5&)05(5.)5
-,0C85
At the Observatory we love our mission,
we love to explore the Universe sharing
."#-5*--#)(51#."5)/,5)&&!/-855-.,)physics is a wonderful science and still
50,352#.#(!5 ,)(.#,5.)55.85#."5
our research we hope to serve humanity
in asking the deepest human questions
about the origin of the Universe and its
philosophical and theological implica.#)(-8
#(&&35 51)/&5&#%5.)5'(.#)(5)(5
dream that comes true every two years,
the Vatican Observatory Summer
"))&-85 5'5-*#&&35!,. /&5.)5.")-5
benefactors who, with their generous

!# .-65"05*,)0#5-")&,-"#*-5.)5nancially support the participation of our
-./(.-8
(5
/(515")-.5."5gj."5/'',5
"))&5)(5&2#-95,5(5,65)/(!5
(5&85 .51-5().",5-/-- /&5(5
joyful experience thanks to the great
dedication of the faculty and the gen,)/-5*,.##*.#)(5) 5."5-./(.-85 5
'50,35!,. /&5.)5,) 85
)"(5.)%5
B"#,C65(#0,-#.35) 5)&),)65)/&,65
6565(5.)5."5 /&.395,85 #chele Trenti, University of Cambridge,
:55,85",#-.)*",5,#&&#65,35,!5
,,365)),,)6515 2#)6565(5
,) 85
+/&#(50(5),%)'65)&/'#5
(#0,-#.36515),%6565 ),5),!(#4#(!5(52&&(.5'#5*,)!,'85 5'5
&-)5!,. /&5.)5,).",5/35 658
85 ),5-,0#(!5-5(5) 5."5
-"))&8
(5gonl65."5.#(5-,0.),35),!(#45."5,-.5/'',5"))&5#(5
Astronomy and Astrophysics, which has
become more and more a valuable part
) 5)/,5.#0#.#-85#(5."(65."#-5#(.,national endeavor has come to number
ilh5&/'(#5"#&#(!5 ,)'5lj5)/(.,#-85
This Observatory initiative is like the
mustard seed from the Gospel parables
.".5!,)1-5 ,)'5-)'."#(!5-'&&5B ,85
%5j65hm8igC855!#05."(%-5.)5)5 ),5
the growth which has exceeded our best
2*..#)(-5(5.)5."5)&355 ),5#.-5
-/**),.55.",)/!")/.5."-53,-8
555555555555555555555
)-585/(-658
85
555555555555555555555#,.),
Fr. Jos G. Funes, S.J. Director of Vatican Observatory
one Specola, one team

ONE SPECOLA
"53,5."5.#(5-,0.),35
Annual Report sets out to track the
work and advances made by its team of
-#(.#-.-5#(5."5&5) 5-.,)()'35(5
-.,)*"3-#-85)10,65."#,51),%51)/&5
not be possible without the help and
support of management and staff who
ensure the smooth running and mainte((5) 5."5.#(5-,0.),35BC5
and its facilities at the headquarters in
Castelgandolfo and the Vatican Ad0(5"()&)!35&-)*5BC5
#(5/-)(65,#4)(85)!.",51#."5."5
scientists they are an integral part of the
Vatican Observatory, its current efforts
(5 /./,5,'-8
THE HEADQUARTERS
)&#-"5(.#05Fr. MAJ was appointed
to the post of vice-director for administration at the Vatican Observatory in
*.',5hffo855"(5"5,,#05."5
headquarters had recently been relocated
from the papal palace to its current site
#(5."5 ),',5-#&#(5')(-.,35/#&-
Fr. Jzef M. Maj, S.J. Vice-Director

for Administration
#(!-51#."#(5."5*)(.#&5!,(-85-5
0#7#,.),5 ),5'#(#-.,.#)(5,85
5
began over-seeing the restructuring work
at the Specola, which he describes as a
1),%5#(5*,)!,--]85
Under his administrative management
the new headquarters has been transformed and now has up-to date working
areas for the staff, most notably the new
.),#.5),.),35(5#,,35 #&#.#-85.",5#(()0.#)(-5#(&/5."5
extension of spaces to host the Vatican
-,0.),35/'',5"))&5BC65
such as the conference hall, guest rooms

and terraced courtyard which serves as a
#((#(!5-*5 ),5-./(.-855(15\, .),3]65),5#(#(!5"&&65#-5*&((5 ),5hfgl855
This has meant that VOSS now takes
place at the heart of the Vatican Observatory where students have a chance to
'.5(5-5."55-#(.#-.-5.51),%85
This Vatican Observatory has two re&#.#-_65-3-5,85
85^5#(-.#./.#)(&5
-*.5(5."5)''/(#.35-*.8555
institution depends on the people who
work here and competences vary, but
good rest, a comfortable environment
"&*-5*)*&5.)51),%51&&5(5#(.&3_855-5.".5'/"51),%5"-5(5
done on the monastery to meet the
)*,.#)(&5(-5) 5."5-,0.),3855
)10,65'/"5-.#&&5(5.)55)(85555
As the vice-director for administration

5#-5&-)5.-%51#."5'(!#(!5."5
administrative needs of the Vatican
Observatory Research Group in Tucson,
,#4)(855/,,(.&365
5#-5&3#(!5."5
ground work for the VOs next ambitious project: the transformation of the
two domes in the papal gardens into a
Science Gallery and Visitors Center '),5) 51"#"53)/5(5,5)/.5&)185
5-#(.#5(5'#(#-.,.#051),%5
.5."5*)&5(.-5!,.&35 ,)'5."5
competence and dedication of three staff
'',-95,#)5&4)(#65(.)(#)5
),..#65(5)'()5!!#)855
Romano Reggio5#-55&)&5) 5 ,#()5
another hill top town close to Castel
Gandolfo and works in maintenance and
."(#&5-,0#-855(,5."5#,.#)(5
) 5,85
65)'()5#-5.-%51#."5."5
upkeep of the electrical, plumbing, car-
Mr. Romano Reggio
pentry and gardening requirements at

."5*)&8555-,#-5"#-51),%5.5
the Specola as something which gives
him a deep sense of satisfaction and
)(.(.'(._8
Roman native Federico Balzoni joined
the Specola in 2007 and his day to day
$)5#-5)5'(!'(.85#-5&-)5
includes the organization of VO Conferences at the Specola and the biannual
Summer School, as well as liaising with
."5'#5)(5"& 5) 5."585)!.",5
with astronomer Fr. David BROWN
S.J.65,#)5"-5&-)5(5#(-.,/'(tal in the creation and expansion of the
*)&5#,,35-,"&5.-85
),%#(!5#&#!(.&3535 .,5365"5"-5
helped to catalogue and to enter into the
.-5.")/-(-5) 5))%-85
Mr. Federico Balzoni

5-3-5^1),%#(!5.5."5*)&5#-5,&&35
5-*#&5135.)5-,05."5)&35.",5
and in a sense help in the mission that is
particular to the Observatory, as a world
-/-*(5.1(5-#(5(5 #."_8
Antonio Coretti is from the Southern
.&#(5#.35) 5 .,5(5"-5(5
*,.5) 5."5*)&5.'5-#(5hfgg8555
!,/.5#(5 ( ),'.#)(5"()&)!35"5
&-51#."50,3."#(!5,&.5.)5 65-/"5
as developing software, providing technological solutions and improving the
*)&]-5)*,.#)(&5*#&#.#-85#(5
coming on board Antonio has given new
life to the Specolas visual presence in
the digital world through his talents in
graphic design and through his contribution to the design and layout of the
((/&5*),.85 )-.5,(.&365(.)(#)5
has undertaken to build a new up-todate user friendly VO website from

-,."855--5"#-51),%5.5."5*)&5
as a double responsibility, not only in
maintaining high professional standards
but also in the constant awareness that
"5#-5.5."5-,0#5) 5."5)&3595^#-5
#'*&#-55!,.,5-*#,#.5) 5-,#65-5 ,5
-5 ]'5)(,(65#.5#'*&#-5,-*)(-##&#ty and seriousness but above all its a real
*&-/,_8
of the Vatican Observatory, Fr. Paul

MUELLER S.J. oversees the home
&# _5) 5."5
-/#.-51")5&#05(51),%5.5
."5-,0.),3855
Gina Savinetti prepares meals for the
)''/(#.365-#253-5*,51%85-/&&35
-"5))%-5 ),55!,)/*5) 5m5),5n5
-/#.-85
/.5#(5."5-/'',651"(5
-/#.-5 ,)'5
Tucson and various visitors are in residence at Castel Gandolfo, sometimes
-"5(-5",-& 5))%#(!5 ),5gf5),5gh5
),5'),85#(5#-551"#451"(5#.5)'-5
to accommodating the diverse palates
(5#.,35(-5) 5."5
-/#.-5) 5."5
Observatory, who come from seven
countries on four continents, and who
,(!5#(5!5 ,)'55jf5.)5oh85"(5)*5
,(#-5'5 ),5&/("65#(5-/'',5hfgi65
Mr. Robert L. Peterson

.5"-5(55!,.5*&-/,51),%#(!51#."5
this renowned group of Astronomers
)0,5."5*-.5-0,&53,-_8
Mr. Antonio Coretti

The facilities of the VO are a pleasant
enviornment in which to live and work
thanks to the dedication of Assunta Rodia 1")5#-5#(5",!5) 5&(#(!85"5&-)5
works parttime for
."5
-/#.5
)''/(#.385
Assunta
keeps the
chapel, hallways, and
common
rooms neat
and clean,
and she sees
Ms. Assunta Rodia
to the Com'/(#.3]-5&/(,385"5)-5&&5) 5."#-5
with great flexibility and with unfailing
!))5",85--/(.5#-5&-)5."5-/-.#./.5))%5 ),5."5
-/#.5)''/(#.3855
Together with the full-time cook Gina
Savinetti, Assunta rises to the occasion
when needed, giving a lot of extra service
and care when the Observatory or the
-/#.5)''/(#.35"-55-*#&50(.5),5
5-*#&5!/-.855
-5-/*,#),5) 5."5
-/#.5)''/(#.35
.&-)*5)'5)(5 .85,"'855"-5
been actively involved with the VATT
safety program for the past eight years
and he personally oversees the aluminum
).#(!5*,)--5 ),5]-5'#,,),-85
^0#(!5!,/.5 ,)'55
-/#.5(#0,-#.365 5**,#.5."5-#(5(5/tion mission that the Vatican Observa.),35-,"5,)/*5,#(!-5.)5/-)(85
Ms. Gina Savinetti

Gina also prepared the meal, complete
1#."5,!(.#(#(5'*(-855
THE VATT
*#(!5."55#(5/-)(5.5."5
forefront of observation and research
would not be possible without the dedication and professionalism of a gifted
.'5) 5(!#(,-5(5."(##(-8
Robert L. Peterson5#-5--#-.(.5#,.),55
of Operations at the Steward Observa.),35#(5/-)(85 (5"#-5*#.35-5"5) 5
)/(.#(5*,.#)(-65"5/,,(.&35'(!-5,-,"5.&-)*-5)(5 .85,"'65
#..5%65 .85'')(5(5."5'#,,),5
coating facility at the Sunnyside Vacuum
855"-5--#-.51#."5-#.5-&.#)(5
) 5."5.#(5.&-)*5)(5 .85,"'5
and assisted with the construction of the
Kenneth Duffek55#-55!,/.5#(5 "(#&5(5&.,#&5(!#(,#(!85

#-5,-.5*,)$.5.5."5-,0.),351-5
to design and build the VATT drive
-3-.'-8551-5&.,5.,(- ,,5.)5."5
#,,),585 .,5hf53,-5) 51),%5.5
."5.1,5-,0.),35 #,,),55
(5"5."5)**),./(#.35.)51),%5 ),5."5
5!#(5-5."5*,.#)(-5 (!,85(]-5/.#-5#(&/5."535.)535
operations of the Telescope facility as
well as acting head electrical engineer for
upgrades and new projects for the Tele-)*5(5#(-.,/'(.-855/-5) 5(]-5
leadership abilities he has been asked to
Mr. Kenneth Duffek

sit on committees and consult on other
.&-)*5*,)$.-8555&-)5#!()-5
(5255.5)&&.#)(5*,)&'5 ),5
."5(.#)(&5*,)!,'655#!".5%35
)(#.),85(,5(]-5#,.#)(65."5
world saw a probe smash into the moon
to collect water data, because the VATT
was one of only two scopes that captured
."5#'!-85(5-3-5.".51),%#(!5.5."5
VATT has allowed him to expand his
knowledge of what astronomers need
while at the same time tailoring devices
.)5(&5..,5-#(8
Michael Franz started his career at
.1,5-,0.),35
(/,365gool65
when he took a job on the mirror cast#(!5,15-55."(##(855,./,(5.)5
work at VATT in 2004, assisting with
-/"5 -#(.#(!5(0),-5-5 5
B#(.#&&.#)(5..#)(5(5(!#(!C65
(5-%35,#!".(--5'.,-85 .,5(5
((5& .5(55(.,5."5
/',&&5) 5)5.,-)(]-5 )/(.#(5
*,.#)(-5#(5hffm65 #"&5#,.5
the removal and re-installation of the
VATT primary mirror for aluminiza.#)(85 #"&5--5."5)''#--#)(#(!5
of VATTSpec as the high point of his
(!#(,#(!5,,855 (5hfgg65 #"&5
,.#,5.)5')05.)5),.",(5&# ),nia, but was talked out of retirement
to become the site presence for remote
observing at VATT, in September
hfgh855/,,(.&35 #"&5#-51),%#(!5
on a new guide camera for VATTSpec
Mr. Michael Franz

(5."5,!5#()/&,5&-)*5
BC5#(-.,/'(.65 85^&.)!.",5
a thoroughly challenging and rewarding
,,_65)(&/-5 #"&65^ 51)/&(].5
"05#.5(35).",513_8
10
Gary Gray worked for 33 years at the

mine in Safford where he was on the
safety committee, developing an eye for
*).(.#&5"4,-855$)#(5 )/(.5
,"'5 (.,(.#)(&5-,0.),35
B C5#(5hffl65(5."55.'5
#(5hffm85#-5,-*)(-##&#.#-5.55
include building and facilities manage'(.5(5'#(.((85,3]-5-%#&&-5-55
,#.),5"05(55!,.5--.8
#-5*,)$.-5-*(551#5,(!65 ,)'5
/,(#./,5B-.),!5-"&0-C5.)5."5^.-_5
-,(5#(5."5)'85 (35) 5."'5 )/-5
)(5- .35) 5*)*&5(5+/#*'(.85#-5
duties include liquid nitrogen manage-
-,0.),3855#(5)'#(!5.)5.1,65
Chris has spent most of his time working on embedded systems and motion
control, and has been been part of many
*,)$.-5#(&/#(!55."5855.,.#(!5
in 2005, Chris became a member of the
)/(.#(5*,.#)(-5.'65(5#(5hffl5
&-)5'5'',5) 5."55.'855
Since 2012, Chris has also been leader of
."5 5!,)/*5.5.1,5-,0.),38
Mr. Chris Johnson
Mr. Gary Gray

ment and the operation of the vacuum
*/'*-5 ),5."5',-85 (5."5*-.5
couple of years Gary routinely performs
#(-.,/'(.5"(!-5.5855&-)5
'#(.#(-5(5&(-5."5*,#',35'#,,),85
,35(-51),%#(!5.550,35-.#-3#(!8551),%5#-50,#5(5#(.,-.#(!65
and he says that, all of the people are
^-3!)#(!_5(5^&#%55 '#&3_85
Chris Johnson is the lead programmer
)(55(5 )/(.#(5*,.#)(-855
",#-51-5,#-5#(5#&'#(!.)(65&aware and began his bachelors in the
fall of 1993 at California University of
((-3&0(#855"#&5-./3#(!65",#-5
had had a summer job on the assembly
floor of a TV transmitter factory, and
spent a yearlong internship in a small
company that manufactured digital
'-/,#(!5#(-.,/'(.-855",#-5!,/.5
1#."55!,5#(5&.,#&5(!#(,#(!5
#(5goon5(51),%5,#35#(5."5((cial transaction processing industry before taking an embedded programming
$)5#(5."5 (-5#(/-.,35#(5."5-*,#(!5
) 5gooo855 (5hffh5",#-5'5.)5.1,5
Scott Swindell graduated in 2007 with a

bachelors degree in physics and astron)'35#(5),."5,)&#(85/,#(!5"#-5)&lege years, he had two internships at the
5),5*5&#!".5(.,65
experiences that underscored for him the
importance of software development in
."5-#(-85 .,5!,/.#(!65"5-,05
-555),*-5)&/(.,5#(5(35(5
)/."5 ,#855,65"51-5&5.)5,15
on his skills and passion by teaching
science and technology to children and
/&.-85)..5$)#(5."55.'5#(5
/!/-.5hfgh85-55-) .1,5(!#(,65"5
was tasked with the continued development of our new telescope control system and maintaining our current control
-3-.'85#-5,-*)(-##&#.#-51,5&.,5
expanded to include developing software
),5,)).#5)(.,)&5) 5."5855-5(5
engineer, and science enthusiast, Scott
says he really enjoys working with the
priests and scientists of VATT, helping
them to get the best possible data from
&&5#.-5#(-.,/'(.-8
ONE DREAM
"(5"5,7-.&#-"5."5.#(5
-,0.),35#(5gnog655)*5)5 5
"550,35-*#5,'95^.".50,3)(5
might see clearly that the Church and
",5-.),-5,5().5)**)-5.)5.,/5(5
-)&#5-#(58885/.5.".5."35',5#.65
()/,!5#.65(5*,)').5#._85
),55(,&35ghk53,-5."5-,0.)ry has embraced good science which
has been encouraged by the generous
support of the Governorate of Vatican
City State, the Vatican Observatory
)/(.#)(5(5( .),-85 ),)0,65
the VOSS and educational outreach
programs to students and amateur astronomers at VATT go a long way to
promoting the good work of the Vatican
-.,)()',-855/.5'),5(-5.)55
done to show that science to the general
*/&#85#-5#-51"35."5-,0.),35"-5
decided to open a Science Gallery in the
",.5) 5."5)(.#&5#&&-8
(5gojh555/#&#(!51-5,.5#(5."5
papal gardens to house the Observatorys
historic Carte du Ciel telescope with
a second dome added in 1957 for the
Schmidt5.&-)*85
The Carte du Ciel was brought to
Castelgandolfo from the Tower of the
#(-5#(5.#(5#.35..65."5servatorys original headquarters before
it moved to Castelgandolfo in the 1930s
#(!5)']-5#.35&#!".-85-5#.-5('5
suggests this telescope was used in the
Observatorys participation in the Carte
/5#&5*").)!,*"#5'*5) 5."5-%38
535#&)(5#(5,#-5#(5gnog65#.5)(sists of two optical systems in a single
tube: a photographic camera with a
ii5'5*,./,5&(-5(5i8ji5'5 )&5
length, and a guider telescope of 20 cm
*,./,5(5i8l5'5 )&5&(!."855
&5) 50#15) 5."5',5#-5h onto 13
cm13 cm plates, for an image scale of 1
,'#(/.5*,5''85
The Schmidt has a 98 cm spherical mir,),51#."55h8j5'5 )&5&(!."5.%#(!5&#!".5
,)'55lk5'5),,.#(!5&(-:5#.5"-55k
&5) 50#15)(.)5hf5'hf5'5*&.-65
),5(5#'!5-&5) 5g8hl5,'#(/.-5*,5
''85
#.",5.&-)*5#-5)*,.#)(&5.5."5
moment, and the domes and building
"5/(.#&5,(.&365 &&(5#(.)5#-/-855)day, however, providence has come to the
,-/85 (5 .65."(%-5.)5."5!(,)/-5
)(.#)(5'5535 ,#5(5),.)5
/..#65(5.(#.35) 5,85
65,-.)ration work has begun on the Carte du
Ciel starting from the installation of a
(15)'85(5)'*&.51),%51#&&5
continue on the Schmidt5)'8
The building and its domes are the ideal
&).#)(5 ),5."5#(5&&,38555
dream is to create a space that not only
chronicles the Observatorys rich sci-
(.#5",#.!5/.51"#"5&-)5&&)1-5
the general public to experience science
,-."(85
The idea behind the Science Gallery is
not just to reflect the history of the Vat#(5-,0.),3_65-3-5,85
85^/.5
to also reflect the Observatorys unique
position as a bridge between science and
faith and to also offer an educational as*.5#(5."5/-5) 5."5.&-)*-_855
The Gallery will include a photographic
archive of the evolution in research since
the Observatorys foundation, and historic documents and instruments that
date back to the origins of astronomical
,-,"85
/.5#.51#&&5&-)5"055-*5 ),52"#bitions of current research conducted
by the Vatican Astronomers, such as
their advances in remote observations at
VATT and above all it will give the gen,&5*/&#5."5\,-.5"(]52*,#(5) 5
1".5(5)-,0.),35&))%-5(5 &-5&#%85
^ .51)(].55$/-.5().",5'/-/'_5)(&/-5,85
65#(!5^151(.5.)5!#05
people direct contact with astronomy,
1#."5."5-.,-8551(.5."5#(5
Gallery to be a witness to the Churchs
)''#.'(.5.)5-#(.#5,-,"65$/-.5
-5)*5)5 5,'_8
These images capture the removal and restoration of the Carte du Ciel
dome in the pontifical gardens, Castel Gandolfo
11
VoSS 2014
(5
/(5&-.53,65."5.#(5-,0.),35
.)5&#&)]-50#&&8
")-.5hk5-./(.-5 ),5."5gj."5#((#&5
The Galileo visit, including a trip
Vatican Observatory Summer School
.)5."5&#&)5'/-/'5#(5&),BC855351,5,1(5 ,)'5hh5(ence, highlights a theme that ran
tions to further their knowledge in Ob.",)/!"5."#-5-"))&855'#2./,5
servational Astronomy and Astrophysics,
of old and new, near and far, can be
)/-#(!5)(5."5."'5) 5^&2#-95,5
applied not only to the history of
(5,65)/(!5(5&_8
the universe revealed in the galaxies
These schools are held every two years at
the students have been studying,
)/,5"+/,.,-5#(5."5*&5/'',5
but also the history of astronomy
Gardens of Castel Gandolfo, outside
,0&5#(5."#,50#-#.-5,)/(5 .&38
)'855-"))&5!(5)(5
/(5,-.65
&-.5 )/,51%-5(5(51#."55*&5 Students are welcomed at the opening session of VOSS
The Galileo house was amazing,
/#(8
,',%5
)5 (.4655-./(.5
,)'5
2014 by dean Br. Guy Consolmagno
The university and post-graduate stu)/."5 ,#85^
/-.5.)5."#(%5.".5"5
)/,5)1(5 #&%3535(5#.-5(,5(#!"dents were chosen from one hundred and
lived here at the end of his life, in such
bor Andromeda, we can now see galaxies
forty applicants as those most likely to
#,(.5.#'-8_5
1"#"51,5 ),'51#."#(5."5,-.5#&*/,-/5(5.#05,,5#(5-.,)()'3855
^ 5"5."5-'5 &#(!51"(5150#-#.5
&#)(53,-5 .,5."5#!5(!8535-./3#(!5
only other criterion other than academic
."5"/,"51",5.85,(#-51-65#(5
distant galaxies, whose light began its
promise was that no nation would have
--#-#6_5)''(.5
/(5,0#.)65 ,)'5
journey to our telescopes more than ten
'),5."(5.1)5,*,-(..#0-855(&5
billion years ago, we can look
enrollment included participants from
back in time to the conditions
0,35)(.#((.5B#(&/#(!5.1)5 ,)'5 .".52#-.51"(5."5,-.5-.,-5
rica, six from South America, and eight
1,5 ),'85
,)'5-#C65(5(5&')-.50(5-*&#.5) 5
Guest speakers addressing the
gi5'(65gh51)'(8
-./(.-5#(&/5 #!/&5(5
,).",5/35 58
85
,.#(65."5-#!(,5) 5."5
-,05-5."5(5(5."5 /&.351-5
&(#(!5-3-.'5 ),5]-5
&535,85
)"(5.)%65) 5."5(.,5
Curiosity Rover currently acfor Astrophysics and Space Astronomy
.#05)(5 ,-:5(5,85#&#**)5
.5."5(#0,-#.35) 5)&),)8551-5
((/#65."5#,.),5) 5."5
joined by Christopher Carilli, of the
Astrophysical Observatory of
,35,!5,,35#(5)),,)6515 2,.,#5)/.-#5&),(85 (5
A moment of recreation between lessons in the courtyard
#):5 #"&5,(.#65) 5."5(#0,-#.35
addition to lecturing on the meof the VO Headquarters
) 5',#!65:5(5
+/&#(50(5
.&&##.35) 5!&2#-65,85 ((/#5
),%)'65) 5)&/'#5(#0,-#.36515
also hosted the students on a tour of the
),%85
)&)'#85^(5."5"#-.),353)/5(5-5
observatory in Arcetri, including a visit
The topic of galaxies is timely
#(5."5#.35) 5)'5#-5'4#(!8_5
),5'(35,-)(-85^&235 ),mation and evolution is at the
),5'(35-./(.-650#-#.#(!5)'51-5
forefront of modern astronomy
notable not only for its famous histori,-,"6_5().5,8565
cal sites, but simply by contrast to their
who is an expert in galaxy ob")'5)/(.,#-85(5-./(.5'#..5
-,0.#)(-85^&2#-5,5."5
that, before this trip, he had never seen
fundamental building blocks
."5)(5 ),85(50#5"/(5#5
) 5."5/(#0,-85(5(15-*5
/5,',%65^ 5(].5!.5/-5.)5."5
and radio telescopes, and so.,<5 (5)(!5)(!65."5.,5 )&&)1-5
phisticated numerical model."5.,5&#!".-<_5
ing, are challenging our views
#.(#5#,!#()-#65 ,)'5 ()(-#65
) 5!&2#-653)/(!5(5)&8_5
described how she felt to be welcomed
))%#(!5)/.5 ,)'5."5&)&5
Field trips are also an important part of the VOSS experien- -)5 ,5 ,)'5")'85^ 51-51),,#51"(5 5
group of galaxies, including
ce. Here the students pose for a group photo in Siena, Italy came here, because not only do we have
12
to be expert in astronomy, but also in

(!&#-"65(5'35(!&#-"51-5().5-.,)(!85
51-51),,#5)/.5!#0#(!5."5*,-(..#)(5)(5'35,-,"5#(5(!&#-"85/.5,85
5,--/,5/-5.".5)'#(!5 ,)'5
Argentina himself, he understood that
151)/&5(5.#'855 /&.35,50,35
/(,-.(#(!85(535."5-)(51%5 5
1-5/-5.)5."5(!&#-"8_5,5.&%65)(5."5
interaction of binary stars with massive
black holes at the center of our galaxy,
1-5."5,-.5.#'5-"5"5*,-(.5",5
1),%5#(5(!&#-"8
Still, the most important lessons from
the school may be in the personal inter.#)(-5')(!5."5-./(.-85-5
)5*/.5
#.65^".5"-5')-.5'45'5"-5(5
to be able to meet so many people from
different cultures, to make friends and
possibly colleagues of all these different
*)*&8_
(5
/(5!,85^#(5(5 ,#(-5
(5!)5.)!.",85 (5'35")'5/(#0,-#.35
there is basically only me and one other
-./(.51),%#(!5)(5."-5.)*#-85 .5"-5
(51)(, /&5.)5(5-)5'(35(15
,#(-5",8_
0#565^-5."53)/(!-.65 5"05
had to work very hard to keep up with
."5)(.(.5) 5."5&./,-85/.5#.5"-5$/-.5
made me even more enthusiastic about
#(!5(5-.,)()',8_
5 /&.35!,85^5.#(5/'',5
School has been an amazing opportunity to make an impact on tomorrows
leaders in astronomy by mentoring the
(2.5!(,.#)(5) 5."#(%,-6_5,85,(.#5
-#85^ 5%(15.",51)/&555!&)&5(5
diverse atmosphere as the school, with
participants representing different world
/&./,-5(5%!,)/(-85/.51".5"-5
surprised me was not just to teach these
students, but to live in such close contact
with them, and pick up on how passion.5."35,5)/.5-.,)()'38_5
#(5."5,-.5-/'',5-"))&51-5"&5#(5
gonl65'),5."(5ikf5-./(.-5"05.%(5
*,.5#(5."#-5*,)!,'85 ),5."(5nkz5
continue today as professional astronomers, including some of the most notable
!/,-5#(5)(.'*),,35-.,)()'38
VOSS student Titania Virginiflosia greets His Holiness Pope Francis

during a private papal audience with students, June 2014
His Holiness Pope Francis together with participants in VOSS 2014 in private
audience in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican June 2014
THE MCCARTHY-STOEGER
SCHOLARSHIP
5
-/#.5)''/(#.35) 5."5.#(5
Observatory generously supports young
-.,)()',-5.",)/!"5."5 ,thy-Stoeger scholarship that covers the
,-.5h53,-5) 5."5"5*,)!,'5.5."
(#0,-#.35) 5,#4)(85
5-")&,-"#*5#-5('5 .,5.",5
,.#(5 ,."358
85(5.",5#&&#'5.)!,58
865)."5)/.-.(#(!
'',-5) 5)/,5-.8,85 ,."35"5

a brillant idea of organizing the Summer
"))&-85#-53,5."5-")&,-"#*5"-5
(51,5.)5
/(5#)&-5,0#.)5
Camargo from Colombia, VOSS 2014
student, who will start the graduate pro!,'5#(5/-)(5#(5/!/-.5hfgk8
13
reSearch
PLANETARY SCIENCES
Vesta is not an intact protoplanet:
,&35 ),.353,-5!)651"(5 51-553)/(!5!,/.5
student at the University of Arizonas
*,.'(.5) 5&(.,35#(-65"#-5
1),%51#."5."5&.5 #"&5,%5,-.5
proposed that asteroid Vesta was the
*,(.5)35) 5."5)1,#.7/,#.7#)!(#.5BC5&(5) 5-&.#5
'.),#.-85)15"5#-5*,.5) 55.'5),!(#4535#!)5/,,#(#5B 65)'C5
.",)/!"5."5 (.,(.#)(&5*5#(5
(-.#./.5) 5,(651#.4,&(65.".5"-5
-")1(5.".51"#&5')-.55'.),#.-5
probably were chipped off Vestas surface,
Vesta as we see it today could not have
been the place where those meteorites
1,5),#!#(&&35'&.5(5,3-.&&#485
All proposed models for the generation
) 5."5-65-.,.#(!51#."5."5 5(5,%51),%5) 5gomm65
show that these meteorites could only
represent about ten percent of the bulk
of their parent body, making a crust no
'),5."(5hk5%#&)'.,-5."#%85)10,65
1(5,0&5.1)5)0,&**#(!5*5
#'*.5,.,-5)(5-.]-5-)/."5*)&:5/,rent models calculate that these impacts
must have excavated material from a
depth of at least eighty kilometers, wi.")/.52*)-#(!5."5)..)'5) 5.".5,/-.85
/,.",'),65 5(5
"#-5)7/."),-5)'*,51".51(5
revealed about Vestas density and the
large iron core against the known den-#.#-5) 55'.),#.-5(5*)--#&5
)&#0#(7,#"5'(.&-5B-5'-/,5#(5
the Specola meteorite lab in Castel
()& )C85-5&/&.#)(-5&-)5-")15
.".5-.5'/-.5"055."#%55,/-.:5
such a crust, with the large metal core
-(5351(65&0-5()5,))'5& .5#(-#5
Vesta for the amount of olivine needed
.)5'%5."55'.),#.-85 .5#-5#'possible to reconcile a Vesta containing
cosmic proportions of the major elements with anything even remotely approaching a mantle composition actually
*&5) 5'%#(!5."5-85
14
/-5."35 55-#5)(/(,/'85
Vesta is certainly covered with a great
."#%(--5) 55'.),#.5'.,#&85
/.5."5-.5.".51(5-15)/&5().5
"05*,)/5.")-5-85)15#-5
that possible? The Vesta we see today,
5(5"#-5)&&!/-5
argue, must be a reaccretion of material
from now-destroyed protoplanetary pa,(.5)#-8550,35,&35 ),'.#)(5) 5
."55'.),#.-65)(/,,(.51#."5
."5 ),'.#)(5(5'#!,.#)(5) 5
/*#.,65
means that the environment where they
were forming would have been one of
frequent and intense collisions among
*,).)*&(.-8
perties using the Vatican meteorite col&.#)(5#(5)/,5 #&#.35.5-.&5()& )855

These properties include density, porosi.365(5".5*#.35B*C855
Thus, while Vesta is not the intact pro.)*&(.5.".5."51(5.'5")*5.)5

explore, it nonetheless does provide the
(15(5-.,)(!50#(5.".5."51(5
team were looking for concerning the
violent nature of the solar system at the
.#'51"(5."5*&(.-51,5,-.5#(!5
),'85
/,.",'),65."#,5-./35) 5".5*#.35
for more than 50 ordinary chondrites
has revealed a correlation between heat
capacity in the sample and quantity of
the mineral olivine within these mete),#.-85#(5)&#0#(5#-55'$),5&'(.5
whose abundance is an indicator of
meteorite type, these results suggest that
their heat capacity measurement technique can be used to help classify bulk
meteorites without relying on destructive
"'#&5.-.-8
,).",5),.5
85 58
85(5
5,5)(.#(/#(!5
their study of meteorite physical pro-
.5*#.35'-/,'(.-5) 5gh55
'.),#.-5B.")/!".5.)55 ,)'5-.65
-5)0C5*,#.5."5.".5."5".5pacity of material on the surface of Vesta
-")/&55kff7khf5
5%!-15-15.5gmk85
This value can be tested against infrared
measurements of the heat radiated from
Vestas surface, thus putting limits on the
-.,/./,5) 5."5-/, 5'.,#&8
This research was presented at the 45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
An example of one of the thermal conductivity simulations. At left is a map of the cracks in
a 1003-voxel cube of material. (Colors represent depth; red is closer to the viewer and blue
is farther away) At right is the thermal profile of the material after coming to equilibrium.
(Red is hotter and blue is cooler.) The top and bottom rows are held constant, with the top
row one degree K higher than the bottom row. The presence and geometry of cracks clearly
affects how heat flows through the material.
5)(.#(/-5.)5-./35."5(-#ty of lunar materials, including Apollo

moon rocks, to better interpret lunar sur5!,0#.35.8555-*(.5.1)51%-5
.55
)"(-)(5*5(.,5#(5tober measuring more than 20 samples
of moon rocks returned by the Apollo
astronauts more than forty years ago
Given these measurements of thermal
properties and physical porosity, can
one begin to understand how the physical state of the meteorite predicts its
.",'&5-..>5 (5),,5.)5,--5."#-5
+/-.#)(65 5"-5!/(5)'*/.,5
simulations of thermal conductivities
BKC5#(5*),)/-5'.,#&-85#-51),%5-)5 ,5
demonstrates how the geometry of pore
-*5*&3-55-#!(#(.5,)&5#(5)(.,)&ling K and that a simple measurement
) 5*),)-#.35&)(5'355#(-/#(.5 ),5
.,'#(#(!5."#-5 .),855
NEO 2011SQ104 observed with VATT on April 17, 2013 at 07:02:05.935

UTC. The telescope is tracking the NEO and so nearby stars appear as streaks.
This research was presented at the 77th Annual Meteoritical Society Meeting.
Observing Near Earth Objects:5-5
can be studied not only dynamically, to
learn about their impact hazard, but also
physically, to establish various properties
important both to better address their
potential hazard and also to understand
what they can tell us about the origin of
the solar system and its ongoing proces--8
Taking advantage of the two-meter&--5.&-)*-5,)/(5/-)(65.",5
)"(7*.#-.5 58
85(5"#-5
.'5*&(5.)5)-,05-5-3()*.#cally using telescopes at three different
&).#)(-955B.#(50(5"()&)!35&-)*C5.5 )/(.5,"'5
B&)(!#./957gfo8nmgo65&.#./95ih8mfgl65
&0.#)(95gfjlo5 .C65)%5h8i5'5.5#..5
%5B&)(!#./957ggg8lffj65&.#./95
ig8olho65&0.#)(95lmok5 .C5(5/#*,5g8k7'5.5 )/(.5#!&)15B&)(!#./95
7ggf8mijk65&.#./95ih8jglk65&0.#)(95
nhik5 .C85&&5.",5.&-)*-51#&&5#'5
simultaneously at the same object, each
1#."55#,(.5#(-.,/'(.85
Lightcurve of NEO 2011SQ104 showing a spinning rate of 6.85+/- 0.03 h and an

amplitude of about 1.5 mag. Data was collected from April 17, 2013 to April 21, 2013
15
The three telescopes will be part of the

,#4)(5)).#5&-)*5BC5
network, a University of Arizona initiative to provide near real-time observations
of Target of Opportunity objects across
the visible and near-infrared wavelen!".-8557j5)*.#&5#'!,
mounted on the VATT has alread been
/-5 ),5*").)'.,385 (5."5 /./,515
*&(5.)5/.#&#45."5*5B)&&,5
;5"#0(-5*.,)!,*"C5 ),50#-#&5
-*.,)-)*35)(5."5)%5h8i5'.,5(55
(,7#( ,,5#(-.,/'(.5)(5."5/#*,5
g8k5'.,855
Using photometry with images recorded
1#."57j65 5(5.'5
have already determined the rotation
,.-5(5)&),-5) 5-0,&5-85hffo5
SQ104 has a rotation rate of
l8nkI75f8fi5"5B'*&#./5) 5g8k5'!C65
hfgj5hn5"-55,)..#)(5,.5) 5
f8og5I75f8fh5"5B'*&#./5) 5f8j5'!C65
hfgj55) 5f8kj5I7f8fj5"5o5B'*&#./5
) 5f8k5'!C65hfgj5jj5) 5i8jk5I75f8fk5
"5B'*&#./5) 5f8o5'!(#./C65hfgj5
jf5) 5g8gg5I75f8fl5"5B'*&#./5) 5
g8i5'!(#./C65(5hfgj5gjk5) 5
f8mm5I75f8fi5"5B'*&#./5) 5f8i5'!(#./C85
NEO 2014FA44 observed with VATT on May 2, 2014 at 04:46:34.773 UTC
These results were presented in November

at the annual meeting of the Division for
Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society, in Tucson.
Lightcurve of NEO 2014FA44 showing a spinning rate of 3.45+/- 0.05 h and an amplitude of about 0.9 mag. Data was collected from May 2, 2014 to May 5, 2014
16
STELLAR ASTRONOMY
0,5-#(5."5go."5(./,3651"(5,85
"#5,-.5&--#5-.,-535."#,5
-*.,5 ,)'5."5,)) 5) 5.85 !(.#/-5
Church in Rome, the spectral types of
stars have played a critical role in many
&-5) 5-.,)*"3-#-8535,5/- /&5#(5
determining stars physical parameters,
!-65#-.(-65(5,(#(!-5B#8865."5
obscuration of the star by interstellar
/-.C85+/&&35#'*),.(.6535!#0#(!5scriptions of the stars in relation to each
other, the spectral types identify peculiar
(5-.,)*"3-#&&35#(.,-.#(!5-.,-85
The traditional way of classifying spectra
by the human eye has been challenged
by the enormous number of spectra that
modern telescopes and spectrographs
(5*,)/85)5)*51#."5&&5."-5.5
#",5,35(5.",5",#-.)*",5
58
85"05-#!(5(5
2*,.5)'*/.,5*,)!,'65 85
.-5/,35#-5-#'#&,5.)5.".51"(5
.1)52*,.5"/'(5&--#,-5,5)'pared, and it does even better for low
-#!(&7.)7()#-5-*.,855-,.5) 5#.-5
success, demonstrated by the plots, is
.".5#.5&--#-5-*.,5) 5-.,-5)(5."5
^ 53-.'_5#(55135-#'#&,5.)5"/'(-8
MKCLASS temperature types plotted against those for the same set of stars classified
by Gray et al. The surface temperatures of the stars range from the hottest on the left
to the coolest on the right. The size of a given symbol is proportional to the number of
spectral types represented by that symbol. The symbols closely follow the 1:1 ratio given
by the line.
Gray, R.O., and CORBALLY, C.J. 2014,

An Expert Computer Program for Classifying Stars on the MK Spectral Classification System, Astron.J., 147, 80-86.
Histogram showing the difference between MKCLASS luminosity classes and those
of Gray et al. A difference of 1 corresponds to that between, for instance, a dwarf
star luminosity class and one of a subgiant.
17
Stellar Observations: Over a period of

-0,&5')(."-5.",5),.5
5
8
85--#-.5355,85
)&(.5)-4.3(5"-5
(&345&&5."5%()1(5.,)'0#&5&.,5
images of stars and star clusters to create a unique database that can serve as
5, ,(5 ),5(&34#(!5."-5)$.-85
Complicating this effort was the fact
that the data attached to many of the
images were not always complete enough to determine immediately the loca.#)(5(5-&5) 5."5#'!855"05*/.5
this repository online, so that it is now
very easy to locate the huge set of obser05,-5) 5."5-%35.)5(5-.(,5-.,-5
and apply extended observation techni+/-5.)5."-5,!#)(-85
5#-5&-)5,1,#.#(!5*,)!,'-5 ),5
an updated approach to observations
'51#."5."5.,)'0#&5.5-3-.'85
Currently we usually mix data from
various runs to achieve a common set
) 5.5 ),5&#,.#)(85)5)5."#-5'),5
#(.&3655(15-3-.'5#-5/(,5)(-.,/.#)(655."5^_5B.#(5-,0.),35").)'.,35/((,C85#-5-3-.'5
is already able to perform complex operations, such as frame preparation, plate
-)&/.#)(65*").)'.,35B*,./,5(5C5
1#."5.7&5),,.#)(5&,(5 ,)'5
%()1(5)$.-5 lmI hoI.865&#,.#)(65(5-.,5&--#.#)(85 .5(5,/(5)(5
(35!#0(5-.5) 5&--#&5m7&.,5.5),5
#.-52.(-#)(-85 .5#-5&-)5*)--#&5.)5/-5
."55 ),55.#7#(5'.")5-5)(5
a reference object and applying a known
color transformation for other, near-by
)$.-85#."5."5515()15"05
methods to correct the zero-points of
color transformation, so it is possible to
'%55..,5.5.)5."5#&(#/-5-*.,&5
.3*-5-.,-853)(5 /,.",5),,.#)(-5
and developments to the program, future
work is planned to port the program,
1"#"5/,,(.&351),%-51#."5."5#(/25
32-bit system, to make it compatibile
1#."5 -85
/,#(!551),%-")*5#(5-.&5()& )5
#(5/!/-.65.",5#",558
85
prepared and afterwards extended a test
18
for the zero-point Chupina experiment

1#."5."5'),5.,#.#)(&5.#7#(5'.")85
The result has been an improved under-.(#(!5) 5."#-5'.")5) 5)-,0#(!85
),52'*&6515&,(5.".5.",)/!"5
zero-point correction some systematic
errors in the classical form of tie-in data
reduction can be corrected by having
!))5#&(#/-7.3*5-.,-5#(55&85
-#(!55(15**,)"65
52.(5(5(#-"5."5&--#&5&),.#)(5
) 5/,#!5-.-85#-5*,&#'#(,35.5#-5
/,,(.&35#(!5(&348
Subdwarf Stars:50#55"-5
continued his research into extreme ho,#4)(.&5,("5-.,-8_
Stars like the Sun in our solar system
will burn hydrogen fuel in their centers
for about 10 billion years before swel&#(!5#(5-#45.)5)'5,5!#(.5-.,-85
After a few million years, such stars will
ignite the helium that accumulated from
."5*,0#)/-5"3,)!(5/,(#(!I /-#)(5
,.#)(-85.5.".5*)#(.65-/"5-.,-51#&&5
shrink in size and will continue to burn
"&#/'5BC5 ),5."5(2.5gf7hf5'#&&#)(5
3,-5-5"),#4)(.&5,("5BC5-.,-85
-#)(&&365."-55-.,-51#&&55
stripped of their outer envelopes, leaving
$/-.5."55),5(55."#(5(0&)*5) 5
"3,)!(5-/,,)/(#(!5."5),855-.,5
like this will have a mass of about half
.".5) 5."5/(85/-5) 5#.-5&).#)(5
.5."52.,'5(5B&/65").C5) 5."5
),#4)(.&5,("5-+/(5#(55 5
#!,'5B-5!/,5.)5."5,#!".C651"#"5
details the temperatures and luminosities
of stars in a given stellar grouping, such a
star is called an extreme horizontal bran"5BC5-.,8
565),5-65-.,-51#&&5"05.'*,./,-5) 5)/.5hkfff565.3*#&&35
05.#'-5."5-/, 5.'*,./,5) 5."5
/(85)15-/"5-5-.,-5&)-5')-.5) 5
their outer envelopes remains unknown,
and this forms the type of research that
5#-5)#(!855
.5#-51#&35-/-*.5.".5."5)/.,5(0&)*-5) 5-I5-.,-5,5-.,#**5
off when two stars in a binary system
B5)/&5-.,5-3-.'C5#(.,.651",35
)(5-.,5.,(- ,-5*,.5) 5#.-5'--5B#(5
1".5#-5&&5)"5)50,)1C5.)5
the other at a point in its evolution when
it is nearing the end of its red giant star
stage of life and on the verge of becoming a horizontal branch star, just being
&5.)5#!(#.5#.-5"&#/'5),5B(.,C5
.,5'--5.,(- ,85
(5().",5#(,35-(,#)65.1)5"&#/'5
white dwarf stars in a binary could also
spiral in toward one another and merge
to become one star, which if it manages
.)5#!(#.5#.-55),65#.5."(5(5)'55-I5-.,852*&),.#)(535
5) 5."5 ),'.#)(5) 5-/"5-5
stars via binary mechanisms for different
'.&&##.#-55"-5-)/!".5.)5/#&5)(5
the momentous and important work of
(5.5&85Bhffh65hffiC5)(5 ),5-)&,5
'.&&##.35f8fh8
The CMD diagram of the globular cluster

NGC 2808 shows the different stars of
which the cluster is composed. Such a diagram provides a glimpse of the evolutionary
stages of the stars in a cluster, including
sdB/EHB stars at the end of the horizontal
branch. Figure from Sosin et al. (1997).
There are three aspects in the above the),.#&5,-,"5#(51"#"55#-5

/,,(.&35(!!85#,-.5) 5&&65."5)'puter program that has been used for
the past few years, STAR95, continues
to yield many results, but a new com*/.,5)65&&5 651"#"5#-5&-)5
gaining currency in research astronomy,
will allow continued research in this
&5) 5-.&&,50)&/.#)(51#."5#,(.5
*#.#-85/"55)65&#%5ok65
is able to evolve single and binary star
systems, yielding details of a stars pro*,.#-5B&/'#()-#.365.'*,./,65!,0#.365
.8C5.",)/!")/.5."5)/,-5) 5-.&&,5
0)&/.#)(85
Second, this year has seen the beginning
) 5(15,-,"51#."5,!,5.)5-/"5-5
stars from the point of view of asteroseismology, a technique that is able to
#(0-.#!.5-.,-5.".5*/&-.5B"(!5
."#,5&/'#()-#.35*,#)#&&3C85)5/-5
a rough analogy, just as the study of
different types of waves in earthquakes
(53#&5'/"5#( ),'.#)(5#(5."5&5
of seismology, so too can the study of a
-.,]-5*/&-.#)(-5B0#,.#)(-C53#&5'/"5
information on the structure and properties of a star, including the stellar mass,
which is needed to verify empirically the
validity of theoretical predictions of the
*,)/.#)(5) 5-5-.,-50#5#(,35#(.,.#)(-65#(&/#(!5."#,5'---85
)5."#-5(65#(5,/,35hfgj65#",5
5(55)(/.5
a 9-day observing run at the VATT
g8n7'5 Ig8f5,.#(!5.&-)*5)(5 .85
Graham in order to study the pulsating
-5-.,55gfjmffi8535/-5."5
5B&135&.,5-.5 '!,C55
camera, which gives a readout time of
only 2ms, to obtain extremely high time
,-)&/.#)(5#'!-5) 5."5-.,85#(5."(65
image data reduction has been taking
*&5/-#(!5)(5,#(!]-5 5*#*&#(5-) .1,85
/"5-.#&&5(-5.)55)(65/.55
preliminary light-curve showing how
the luminosity of the star varies can be
-(5#(5."5!/,85#,65
theoretical studies by
5BhfgjC5/-#(!5
binary population synthesis techniques have
provided clues as to how
-)'5-5-.,-5**,5
#(5*,.-5) 5."5)!10!50-85
log105#!,'5B-5
!/,5&)1C5&)15."5
5B."5&/5&#(C5
at temperatures 30000jffff565 ),51"#"5nonical theories cannot
)/(.85]-5
simulations for high metallicity A very preliminary light curve of the pulsations of the
sdB star PG1047+003
f8fi5#(#.5.".5-/"5-.,-5
are produced via binary interactions yiel#(!5-5-.&&,5'---5) 5f8if7f8jf5 65
stars whose progenitors are thought to
be intermediate-mass stars of about mass
h8f5 385
This work appeared in proceedings of the
6th ASPC Conference on Hot Subdwarf
#-5-'-5.)555)(,'.#)(5) 5."5
Stars and Related Objects.
1),%5) 5/5.5&85BhffnC651")5.",)/!"5
their asteroseismological studies of the
*/&-.#)(5')-5) 5-5-.,-5,5&5.)5
discern either low-mass or intermediate
'--5*,)!(#.),-8
log10 g vs. log10Teff

diagram which
shows the location of
sdB stars below the
ZAHeMS (the blue
line) in the range of
30000-40000K, as
given by the Brown
simulations
19
GALAXIES
.",5&--(,)5 5#-5
working with a research group on the
(,35&/-.,-5) 5!&2#-855.'5
,5 /,.",5(&34#(!5."#,5-'*&5) 5ml5
7,35-&.5&/-.,-85 .,5."5*/blication of the catalogs of the galaxies
) 50,35&/-.,65 5(5"#-5
team are now studying the properties
of the galaxies and of the cluster, with
particular focus on the star formation
rate, the interaction of the galaxies
within the cluster, the surface photometry of the galaxies, the spectral properties and
evolution of the galaxies in the clu-.,-85)5)'*&#-"5."#-5!)&5 5(5"#-5.'5"05&-)50loped a specially dedicated sotware,
651"#"5#-5&5.)5*,)0#65#(5
a single shot, the relevant photometric
B.).&5'!(#./5(5.#05-/, 5
,#!".(--C5(5-.,/./,&5B.#05,#/-65,-#5#(265&&#*.##.3C5*,'.,-5
for the several hundred galaxies typically
#(0)&05#(5)/,51#5&5&/-.,5#'!-85
They have also begun to study a particu&,5&--5) 5!&2#-65."5-)5&&5
&&3-"5
!&2#-5B!85gC85-5,5!&2#-5.".5
are undergoing changes due to various
phenomena in their gaseous interstellar
regions, and as a result of their losing a
(/',5) 5."#,5-.,-85 ',-5) 5."5
team are investigating this kind of galaxy
and will producing a catalogue of these
galaxies in the clusters of their sample
B 5(5'!7#(!-C8
Some galaxies while moving through the galaxy cluster to which they
belong, lose a fraction of their components, especially gas and dust. So they
appear as jellyfish and that is why they are called jellyfish galaxies (up
NGC4522 galaxy, down ESO 137-01 galaxy).
20
COSMOLOGY
T-Duality invariance:5.",5,#&5
58
85)(.#(/-5"#-5,-,"5#(5
/(./'5,0#.385/(./'5,0#.35#-55
branch of Cosmology which aims to study the behavior of the gravitational force
in the very early moments of the begin(#(!5) 5)/,5(#0,-5B&)15."5&(%5
time ~10-44-C85,52#-.5.1)5'#(5
approaches to Quantum Gravity, which
,5))*5/(./'5,0#.35(5.,#(!5
),385))*5/(./'5,0#.35#-5-5
on the assumption that the quantum
'"(#&5B."5*"3-#-5.5
%5)(55**,5*/&#-"5#(5."5 .&#(5
-/#.5'!4#(5#0#&.5..)&#5)(5."5
historical development of the concept
) 5."5#((#.85 (5."#-5**,65."35.,'#(5.".5."5#((#.5"55(!.#05
connotation in the Greek world and that
#.51-5)(&35/,#(!5."5",#-.#(5,5
that the word began to have a positive
-#!(#(85 (5*,.#/&,5#)&5/-()51-5."5,-.5-")&,5.)5."#(%5.".5
."5(#0,-5)/&55 ((#.85.,5."5
)(*.5) 5#((#.5#(5(.5#-5#-/--65
"#!"&#!".#(!5.".5(.5"5-")1(5.".5
this concept may cause contradictions
#(5."5135#.5"-5(5/-/&&35.")/!".85
5(&5*,.5) 5."5**,5)'*,-5(5
)(.,-.-5."5)(*.5) 5#((#.5#(5(.5
and in the 19th century German mathematician Georg Cantor, the inventor of
set theory whose work laid the founda.#)(5 ),5'),(5")-5."),385
The study of the formation and evolution of the universe is both theoretical and observational, the observations being useful to verify the theoretical hypothesis done by the
cosmologists. Of particular utility is to observe the galaxy clusters where the effects of
the dark matter are clearly visible in the form of gravitational lenses (Cluster MCS
J0416.1-2403)
.)'#5(5-/.)'#5-&-C5"0#),5
of the gravitational force can be achieved
studying gravity as separate from the
).",5 /('(.&5#(.,.#)(-85.,#(!5
Theory presupposes that the quantum
"0#),5) 5."5!,0#..#)(&5&5"#0-5."5/(#.#)(5) 5&&5."5 /('(.&5
),-85#-5#-5"#0535#(.,)/#(!55
fundamental object, the String, whose
quantum mechanical vibrations produces the fundamental particles known in
(./,85
(5."5.,#(!5),35)(.2.65 5
and his team have studied the problem
) 5(#(!55."),351"#"52"##.-55
7/&#.35#(0,#(85#-5-3''.,365
which was already known at the level of
-)&/.#)(-65-3-5."5^)'*.#_5B&)-C5-.,#(!51#."55,#/-5^_5#-5/&5
B'(#(!5.".5().",5-.,#(!5&-)52#-.-5
-5-)&/.#)(C5.)5.".5) 5."5,#/-5^gI_85
After three long years of research with
"#-5.'5B5(!&#-65"3-85*85*&-5
(#08:5 ,)..5(544&&5 5
*&-5-.#)(C65 5-/5
#(5(#(!55."),35) 5-.,#(!-651"#"5#-5
'(# -.&357/&5#(0,#(.85#-51-5
achieved by doubling the number of va,#&-65).#(#(!55)/&5.,#(!5),385#-65#(5./,(65)/&5-"5&#!".5)(5."5
*/44&#(!5+/-.#)(5) 5,%5 ..,8
INTER DISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Concepts of the Infinite: in collabora.#)(51#."5& ,)5!,)#65 51),-
A Cosmic End: Attracted by curiosity

)/.5."5(5) 5."5/(#0,-655
*,-(.55**,5)(5^5)-'#5(95
,)'5."5,."5.)5."5(#0,-_5.)5."#-5
3,]-5&(,35--#)(5) 5."5)(.#&5
'3855 (5."5**,5"5,!/5.".5
1"#&5."5-#(.#5'.")5#-5().5."5
only approach to answering the age-old
questions of existence, it certainly is an
#'*),.(.5)(855/).#(!5885&&#).]-5
^ (5'35!#((#(!5#-5'35(_65"5,!/5
that the end of the Universe is somehow
1,#..(5#(5#.-5#(#.#&5)(#.#)(-85
5(5)(&35."#(%5) 5."5*-.5(5."5
future of the Universe based on its present and from the data we have collected
(5#(.,*,.855"05+/#.55!))5
*#./,5) 5."5,&35/(#0,-85)/!"5
there are many unknowns we still have a
very good comprehension of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars and
*&(.-85 .5#-55#.5/(,.#(5.)5-#(.#&&35*,#.5."5 /./,85/,5*,#.#)(-5
will depend on the different time and
-*5-&-5.".515)(-#,85/-515
(5)(-#,5."5(5) 5,."65) 5."5
Sun, of our Galaxy and of the whole
(#0,-85
(5."50,35#-.(.5 /./,5."5/(#0,-5
21
0(./&&351#&&55-",855/(#0,-5
#-5!)#(!5.)1,55(&5-..5) 5)&5(5
darkness, thermal death, which says that
the universe will go toward a state of
'2#'/'5(.,)*385#-5&)(!7.,'5-(,#)5#-5)0#)/-&35")-.#&5.)5&# 8
#-5*,-*.#05*)--5'(35+/-.#)(-85
5)/,5&).#)(5#(5."5/(#0,-5#-5,/#&5
),5&# 651#&&5&&5&# 5(51#."5,.">5 -5
&# 55)'')(5*"()'()(>5".51#&&5
happen with life in trillions and trillions
) 53,-51"(5."5/(#0,-5 ->5 5.",5
are other universes will life survive in
those places?
".5#-5."5",#-.#(5*,-*.#05)(5."5
(5) 5."5(#0,->5".5(515-35
about the Last Day85-5
)-*"5.4#(ger says in Introduction to Christianity,
Christian realism goes beyond the phy-#&65-5,&#-'5) 5."5)&35*#,#._8
HISTORY and PHILOSOPHY
) 5."5!(/-5)')65-55135.)50&/.5
#!5#-.),35,-")&5l5@5."5,#-5) 5
)')5-*#(-5(5^)&&.#05&,(#(!8_5
They focused on Homo sapiens idaltu,
1")5&#05-)'5glf6fff53,-5!)5#(5
-.5 ,#65(5.,#5.)5*#(*)#(.5@5-5
closely as the latest archaeolo!#&50#(5&&)1-5@51"(5
and where the development of
collective learning took place
)(5,."8535&-)5,0#-#.5
their theme of the origins of
religious thought as an aspect
of the development of sen.#(85,5'),5*)*&5."(5
they expected are interested in
,&#!#)(]-5*&5#(5#!5#-.),365
a view of history that incorporates astronomy, bioastronomy,
anthropology, and many other
#-#*&#(-8
]-5'#(5,-,"5.)*#5"-5(5."5
!/,5) 5."5
-/#.5-.,)()',5(!&)5
"#5Bgngn7gnmnC5(5"#-5)(.,#/.#)(5
.)5."50&)*'(.5) 5-.,)*"3-#-85 .,5
the publication of his correspondence
1#."5."5-.,)()',5#.,)5"#(#5
Cross-talk:5,85 5#-5
The Double Astrograph Telescope, at Castel Gandolfo
continuing his research in the area
of history and philosophy of science, especially the history and philosophy
Bgnin7gofkC5 &(5 5#-5*/,) 5*"3-#-5#(5."5,&35'),(5*,#)855
suing further investigations on his archiRecently he is grappling with work done
val fund kept at the Gregorian University
by other scholars concerning previously
(51"#"5,5&,!&35/(2*&),855"5#-5
unsuspected cross-talk, at the level
particularly focusing on Secchis spectroof methodology, between Renaissance
scopic instruments and his interactions
*"#&)&)!35(5,&35'),(5-#(855,85
1#."5#(-.,/'(.7'%,-5) 5"#-5.#'855
5")*-5.)5&/#.5-)'5
5"-5&-)5-#!(55)(.,.5
philosophical consequences of that
1#."5,#&&5.)5*/&#-"55-#(.#5#)cross-talk, concerning the interplay of
!,*"35) 5(!&)5"#58
85#(5."5-,#-5
the universal and
^
-/#.5./#-_8
the particular in
both science and
The digitization of the plates of VO ar.")&)!3855,)'5."#-5
chive:55#-5&)(!5.,'51),%5#-5)(7!)#(!85
he hopes to tease
)15.".5."5*&.-5) 5."5,.5/5#&5
out some interesting
"05(5-((5-/-- /&&365 implications for the
5#-5#!#.#4#(!5.")-5) 5."5)/&5
faith-science dia-.,)!,*"C850,55*,#)5) 5jf53,-65
&)!/8
from the 1930s through the 1970s, this
telescope was used not only for astrophoSecchi and his intography but also for spectroscopy of
struments: (5."5
&&5."5)$.-5#(5."5#(-.,/'(.]-5&5
&5) 5#-.),35) 5
B-#'#&,5.)55"'#.5&-)*C:5."/-5
-.,)()'365 one often can get a photographic image
B-5,#!".65)0C5(5-*.,5B-5,#!".65
Chris Corbally and Margaret Boone Rappaport, in Costume for
&)1C5) 5&&5."5)$.-5#(5."5-'5&85
The Appearance of a Guest Star in A.D. 1054 a Skit on the SiObviously the spectra are not high
ghting of the Supernova Creating the Crab Nebula.
Emotional Brains: As an extension of

5/'(5(.#(5,)$.5Bhttp://
thehumansentienceproject.orgC65 ,!,.5
))(5***),.5(55
have been investigating what they call
^5').#)(&5,#(53*)."-#-_65
or how emotional, social, and religious
vetting have evolved to be important in
,.#)(&5#-#)(5'%#(!5(5-#(.#5
')&#(!85
They returned to the theme of the emergence of sentience among early members
22
resolution spectra, but they are useful for

5,-.5-./35) 5."5)$.-5#(5."5*").)!,*"#5*&.8
An example of a photographic plate taken by the Double Astrograph
Keeping track of it all:5.",5#()5

58
85"-5(5*/-"#(!5"5
with the painstaking task of updating
and indexing the Vatican Observatory
,"#0-855-5#(&/95(5,"#05) 5
correspondence, newspaper articles and
)/'(.-5,&.#(!5.)5."55 ,)'5gnlj5
.)5.:5(5,"#05) 5),,-*)((5
relating to the VOs participation in the
Carte du Ciel and Astrographic Catalo!/55.1(5gnnm5(5hfgh:5(5,"#05
of the work and correspondence of for',55#,.),5.",5.,#%5,(),5
(5."53)/(!5
-/#.5",#-.)*",5),&&3:5(5,"#05-*#&&35#.5.)5
)/'(.-535),5,&.#(!5.)5.",5"#:5(5,"#05#.5.)5."5."'5
) 5#(5(5#."651#."5, ,(5.)5
."51),%5) 5
-/#.-5#(5."#-5&85#(&&35
5"-5&-)5-.5/*55*").)5,"#ve that visually documents the changing
faces and instruments of the VO down
through the centuries and has plans to
catalogue and archive the priceless and
antique astronomical instruments cur,(.&35#(5."5]-5*)----#)(85
F. Sabino Maffeo, S.J.
An example of a spectra taken by the Double Astrograph
23
inStrumentation & technical SerViceS
PERSONNEL
-5) 5
/&35g65."(%-5.)5(5^!,'(.5
)(,(#(!5."5#&5&)#.35,)$.5
1#."5 5(5_51#."5."5Leibniz-Institut fuer Astrophysik5).-'65
Germany, we were able to welcome
#"&5,(45)(55 /&&7.#'5-#-5-55
'"(#&5(!#(,85 #"&5&-)5)(.#(/-5.)5-/**),.5,').5)-,0#(!5,/(-8
MAINTENANCE
A major corrective maintenance opera.#)(51-5."5,*&'(.5) 5."5/ 5
.'*,./,7-(-),5)(.,)&&,85 .51-5
originally envisaged in the context of
VATTs automation and scheduled for
hfgk855 #&/,5) 5."5)&5-3-.'50(5)/,5*&(-85 ),5.#&-5&)18
(5*.',5hk655&(5
]-5*,#',35'#,,),8
INSTRUMENTATION AND NEW
EQUIPMENT
(5)&&),.#)(51#."55-)65&(.,35#(5 (-.#./.65 )/,5(155
&.,-5B065165265(5*C5,50#&&5.5
85#&.,5")&,-51,5'65."5&.,-51,5..5(5.-.8
PEPSI
(5)&&),.#)(51#."5."5-.,)*"3-#-5 (-.#./.5#(5).-'5B-5)0C65
.",5jfk7'.,5&)(!5)*.#&5,-5
)((.55.)5."5 5"',5
#(5."55/#&#(!855#.5Fiber Injection Unit was tested at VATT,
allowing light to flow from VATT to
the Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and
Spectroscopic Instrument5B C855
,-.5.-.-65*, ),'5/,#(!5."5--
The PEPSI spectrograph being reassembled in its enclosure where it will be kept in a stable
atmosphere at a constant temperature with variations less than one thousandth of a degree
(Credit: M. Steinmetz).
24
-'&35) 5 5#(5*.',651,5

very successful, with a spectral resolution
) 5gof6fff8
VATT Upgrades
(5 ,"5n5#(5(-1,5.)55*,)*)-&5
prepared with Steward Observatory, and
submitted in August 2013, the Vatican
Observatory received a very generous
!# .5 ,)'5."5*&5)/(.#)(5 ),5(5
)0,"/&5) 585#-5'$),5)*,.#)(5
is part of a larger plan for developing a
network of advanced telescopes in Arizona, the Arizona Robotic Telescope
.1),%5BC85 (35(15*)--##&#ties will open for competitive science at
VATT both as a stand-alone telescope
(5-5*,.5) 58551")&55
project is carried out by the University of
,#4)(5.1,5-,0.),3]-5 )/(.#(5*,.#)(-5!,)/*8
VATTs robotization employs the distributed processing approach, where each
subsystem will be run by its own Local
Control Unit5BC65!,(.#(!5#.55&0&5
of autonomy, and making the system as
51")&5'),5,)/-.855-5,5-#(gle-board microcontrollers based on the
,/#()5)(*.8551)5*,).).3*-5) 5."5
51,5/#&.5(5/(,1(.5&),.),35.-.#(!85(51-5-/-+/(.&35#'Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014
plemented at
VATT where
it successfully controls
the thermal
-3-.'855
other is a
swappable
-*,85tisfactory
operation
parameters
were achie05B)(.,)&ling primary
mirror temperature to a
level smaller
."(5f8g5C8
The motion
of the telescope in
the altitude, Fiber Injection Unit for supplying PEPSI at VATT
azimuthal and
ratory tests on a pre-existing breadboard,
&5,)..),5
(5-/-+/(.5)(7-%35.-.-5)(5."5lg_5
axes is ensured by applying appropriate
/#*,5&-)*5)(5 .5#!&)1855
current to the motors at appropriate
5-) .1,51#&&5,/(5)(55#.#'-85]-5,)).#5/*!,5)-5().5
.5)'*/.,5/(#.65#(&/#(!5."5,#0-85
)(,(5."52#-.#(!5').),-855,#05
5&),.),35-./*5B,),C5)''*&#,-65")10,651#&&55,*&855
*,#-#(!5."55)'*/.,5/(#.5(5
-*#.#)(-5) 5."5,+/#,5,#05'**,)*,#.5,#0-651-5/#&.5(5.-.85
*&#,-65#8865/(#.-5!(,.#(!5."5/,,(.65
/,.",'),65."5.1)7.#,5-,0)'"were calculated and commercially avai(#&5-3-.'5.1(5."55(5
&&5/(#.-51,5#(.#855*)1,5-/*,#05'*&#,-51-5./(5#(5."5&),*&35 ),5."5,#05'*&#,-51-5-#!(8
.),3855
system
52.5(,.#)(5&-)*5)(.,)&5
was used
3-.'5BC5#-55-) .1,650to run the
loped at Steward Observatory, allowing
declinatelescope pointing and tracking, essention axis
tially translating the assignment to obof the
serve a given object into instructions to
/#*,5
."5.&-)*5",1,5B,#05'*&#,-5
lg7#("5
and motors running the three telescope
Telescope
2-C65-51&&5-5'(35).",5 ./,-85
)(5 .5#The Steward Observatory is gradually
!&)185#'*&'(.#(!5."55)(5&&5) 5#.-5
tisfactory
.&-)*-5B1#."5."52*.#)(5) 5."5
operation
&,!-.5)(-C85
para5,)/.#(-5 ),5#,.5/,,(.5,#0,-5
meters were
were written and tested, including laboVatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014
achieved, with
a tracking error
) 5f8hm5,-5
peak-to-peak at
sidereal tracking
,.8
The position of
the telescopes
altitude and azimuthal axes is
#(.#5/-#(!5
absolute enco,-85+/#,5
-*#.#)(-5
were established
and commercially available
units were pro/,8
The overall
goal of autonomous telescope
operation requires software
to perform dynamical observation scheduling as well
as conduct the actual observations, data
+/#-#.#)(5(5#(#.#&5*,)--#(!851)5
levels of software will be developed, im*&'(.5(5)''#--#)(95BgC55
lower-level software which will interface
with the telescope and facility subsy-.'-65-51&&5-51#."5."5&.,51"&65."5
!/#,5(5-#(5',-65.865(5BhC5
the high-level software which will run
NGTCS Unit breadboard
25
."5.&-)*5(.1),%855 ),',5BgC5
1#&&55h5(5."5&..,5BhC5,+/#,-5
further research, with RTS2 being a pos-##&#.38555h5B1118,.-h8),!C5#-5(5
)*(5-)/,5-) .1,5*%!85)'5velopment is required and some drivers
will be written as a prerequisite of its
#'*&'(..#)(5.55(585
/,.",65,-,"51#&&55)(/.5#(.)5
the choice of the high-level software
BhC85)(-+/(.&365."#-5-) .1,51#&&55
tailored to the science cases selected
),585 .51#&&55#'*&'(.5(5
)''#--#)(8
A version of RTS2 lower-level and
"#!"7&0&5-) .1,5B0#5,#0,-5
(5-"/&,C51-5#'*&'(.5.5
the Steward Observatorys 21-inch
3')(585"#.5&-)*5)(5."5
(#0,-#.35) 5,#4)(5'*/-85-55*,.5
of the testing process, several nights observing was conducted by the telescope
/&&35/.)()')/-&38
NGTCS drive unit was used to run the declination axis of the
Kuiper 61-inch Telescope on Mt Bigelow
Three Antique Clocks

(5)0',5hf65hfgi65)'-5(3#65."5 -.,51."'%,5.5."5
/.-"-5 /-/'5."5-.),.#)(5
),.),35(5,) 85,(%5,(&65
'5.)5."55+/,.,-5.)5#smantle and three antique clocks that
"5 &&(5#(.)5#-/-85535.,(-*),.5
."5*,#)/-5,.# .-5.)5 /(#"]-5/.-"-5 /-/'851)5) 5."-5&)%-51,5
'535."5,&5)),5!(,51),%-")*5#(5#-(855."#,5@51"#"5
,-5."5*,)/.#)(5(/',5kio5@51-5
'535&'(-5#,5#(5--&1(!5
/(5 /("(85 (5
/&35hfgj65"0#(!5
completed the restoration of the clocks,
,85)'-5(3#5(5,) 85,(%5
,(&65,./,(5."'5.)5."55"quarters in Castel Gandolfo where they
have been relocated in perfect working
)(#.#)(85
Thomas Rbenyi, Master watchmaker at the Deutsches Museum Watch Restoration Laboratory and Prof. Frank Wernel with the three antique clocks they restored for the VO.
26
VATTs Dome in motion
27
obSerVatory
Appointments
#(5*.',5g65,).",5/35 5#-5."5(15,-#(.5) 5
."5.#(5-,0.),35)/(.#)(5
BC8551-5&.5.)5."5)5)(5
,/,35hg535."5),5) 5#,.),-85,85
51#&&5)(.#(/51#."5
"#-5,-,"5(5)/.,"5.#0#.#-85
.,5.",53,-5#(5."5)5) 5,-#(.5
) 5."5.#(5-,0.),35)/(.#)(65
.",5&,.5 58
85"-5,#05
5(15'#--#)(5 ,)'5"#-5
-/#.5/*,#),5
) 5."5#-)(-#(5,)0#(5BC8555
,50,35!,. /&5.)5,85 5 ),5"#-5
*,) --#)(&5)(.,#/.#)(5.)5."55(5
.",)/!"5#.5.)5."5-,0.),38551#-"5
"#'51&&5#(5"#-5(15'#--#)(8
Fr. Albert Diulio, S.J.

,).",5)'-5 58
865 ,)'5
."5
-/#.5,)0#(5) 5 ,3&(5BC65
has been assigned to the VORG in Tuc-)(855#-5--#-.(.5.)5."5,-#(.5) 5."5
5(5#(5",!5) 5."5#&35'(gement of the Observatory residence in
/-)(855
.",5#",5]58
865 ,)'5."5
-/#.5*,)0#(5) 5)5B (#C65"-5(5

--#!(5.)5."5
-/#.5)''/(#.35) 5."5
.#(5-,0.),3855#-5)'*&.#(!5
"#-5).),.5#(5-.,)*"3-#-5.5."5 25
&(%5 (-.#./.5 ),5-.,)*"3-#-5#(5,"#(!65,'(385
28
anD StaFF actiVitieS
-5) 55/!/-.5g65 5#-5."5/,.),5

of the meteorite collection in Castel
()& )8
5"-5(5**)#(.5--)#.5-,"5 ',5) 5."5.#)(&5
),.),#-5) 5,-.#65),35#0#-#)(65) 5."5 .&#(5.#)(&5 (-.#./.5 ),5
/&,5"3-#-8555
Awards
#-53,5 51-5")(),51#."5."5,&5!(5 &5 ),5
/&#5/.,"5#(5&(.,35#(-5
by the American Astronomical Society
#0#-#)(5 ),5&(.,35#(-5.5."#,5
((/&5'.#(!855#-5."5,-.5,&#!#)/-5
in the history of the award to receive the
")(),8555")-5,85 5/-5"5^)/*#-55/(#+/5*)sition within our profession as a credible
-*)%-*,-)(5 ),5-#(.#5")(-.351#."#(5."5)(.2.5) 5,&#!#)/-5&# 8_55
award is named after the late astronomer
Carl Sagan, who was a popular author
and writer of the 1980 television series
^)-')-8_
(5.),5hh6551-51,5."5
.35.,5, ),',51,535.1,5
Observatory for his outstanding commitment and contribution to the safety
) 5*,-)(-5(5+/#*'(.85#-5"#0'(.5#-5&&5."5'),5-#!(#(.5/-5
5#-5."50,35,-.5,#*#(.5) 5."5
(1&35,.5#-.#(.#)(8
.",5 #"&55,#055
series of awards and distinctions for his
)(.,#/.#)(5.)5-#(5."#-53,85(5
(/,35hn65."5.")&#5(#0,-#.35) 5/&#(51,551#."5."5,.5
'),#5#-.#(.#)(85(5 35i65"5
1-51,5."5,,5) 5."5"#.5
!&85(5
/(5n65"51-5*,-(.51#."5
."55)')5,,5(5(&&35)(5
/(5gm65"51-5")()/,51#."55).),.5)(),#-5/-6535."5(#0,-#.35) 5
# 5#(-5#(5/&#(8
Asteroid 23443 KIKWAYA

-.,)#5BhijjiC5 55gonl5
g5#-)0,5gonl5.85j53585
)1&&5.5."5(,-)(5 -5..#)(5) 5
."5)1&&5-,0.),35"-5(5('5
.,5.",5
(7*.#-.5 65
5(.#05) 5."5'),.#5*/&#5) 5
)(!)85-#(!5)*.#&5'.),5'-/,ments, he estimates the bulk densities of
smaller meteoroids through numerical
&.#)(5')&-8
Fr. Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya, S.J.

In Memoriam
5,5*&35-(5.)5,*),.5."5
."5) 5.",5#&&#'58565
8
88551-5&&5")'5.)5."5),5
)(55 ,"5hj5.5."5,5,.5
-/#.5
(.,5#(5)-5.)-65&# ),(#651",5
he was being treated for an aggressive
),'5) 5(,8
,8551-55-.5-#(.#-.5
for the Vatican Observatory Research
Group in Tucson, specializing in theoretical cosmology, high-energy astrophysics, and interdisciplinary studies relating
.)5-#(65*"#&)-)*"35(5.")&)!3855
was born in 1943 in Torrance, California
(5!,15/*5#(5)()5"65&# ),(#855(.,5."5)#.35) 5
-/-5#(5
*.',5golg65(5#(5golm5)'*&.5
his bachelors degree with honors in phi&)-)*"35 ,)'5*,#(!5#&&5)&&!65
Fr. William Stoeger, S.J.

)#&65&'85 (5golo5"51-51,5(5 885#(5*"3-#-5 ,)'585
After lecturing briefly in the physics de*,.'(.5.5."5(#0,-#.35) 5(5,(cisco, he began theological studies at the
-/#.5"))&5) 5)&)!35#(5,%&365
&# ),(#51",5"5(#-"5(588 85
and was ordained to the priesthood in
gomh85 .,1,-5"5*/,-/5).),&5
studies in astrophysics at Cambridge
(#0,-#.3658865(5)'*&.5"#-5"5
#(5goml85,)'5goml575gomo5"51-55,search associate with the theoretical gravitational physics group at the University
) 5 ,3&(65)&&!5,%65 ,3&(85
5$)#(5."5-.5) 5."5.#(5-,0.),35#(5*.',5gomo85,85]-5,-,"5"-5&.51#."50,#)/-5
problems connected with the physics of
accretion onto black holes, and mathematical and physical issues connected
with torsion and bi-metric theories of
gravity, as well as the harmonic map
structures contained in gravitational the),#-65#(&/#(!5!(,&5,&.#0#.385 ),5
recently, he had concentrated on observationally oriented projects in theoretical
cosmology, attempting to build more
adequate bridges between theory and
cosmologically relevant astronomical ob-,0.#)(-855&-)5)(.#(/5.)5*/,-/5
some research on the physics of the central engine in active galactic nuclei and
+/-,-85-#-5"#-5,-,"5(51,#.#(!5
#(5)-')&)!35(5-.,)*"3-#-65#&&51-5
very active in lecturing and teaching at
the University of Arizona, at the Uni0,-#.35) 5(5,(#-)65(5.5.#(5
-,0.),35/'',5"))&-8551-5
5'',5) 5."5',#(5"3-#&5
Society, the American Astronomical
Society, and the Society for General Re&.#0#.35(5,0#..#)(8551-5)(5."5
),5) 5."5(.,5 ),5)&)!35(5
."5./,&5#(-5BC65,.,35
) 5."5.#(5-,0.),35)/(.#)(65
(5)7#.),5) 5."5-,#-5^"#&)-)*"35
#(5#(8_55&-)51-5(5.#05*,.##*(.5#(5."5.#(I51),%-")*-5
)(5^)]-5.#)(5#(5."5),&95#(.#5,-*.#0-5)(5#0#(5.#)(_5(5
in the Science-Theology Consultation
) 5."5(.,5) 5)&)!#&5 (+/#,365
,#(.)(8
for his deep spirituality and profound

%()1&!8
VO Conferences
The Vatican Observatory and the University of Arizona co-hosted a conferen5)(5^5,"5 ),5# 53)(5."5
)&,53-.'852)*&(.-65#)-#!(./,-5
;5 (-.,/'(.-_5 ,)'5 ,"5gl7hg5#(5
/-)(65,#4)(855)( ,(51-5
the result of the continued and fruitful
collaboration between the University of
Arizona and the VO, and was arguably
."5'$),50(.5) 5."53,5#(5."5&85
Over 200 scientists attended sharing
their research and expertise on exoplanet
observations, early and extreme life on
,."65.')-*",#5#)-#!(./,-65(5
*&(.7(#(!5.&-)*-85
-5().5#(5(5,.#&5*/&#-"5
/(5gi65
hfgj5#(5]--,0.),5)'()5)(5."5
conference : One of the main debates in
Participants at the VO/UA conference The Search for Life beyond the
Solar System. Exoplanets, Biosignatures & Instruments, held in March
in Tucson, Arizona.
,855&-)52,#-5"#-5*,#-.&35'#(#-.,35#(5."5#)-5) 5/-)(5
"&*#(!5)/.5#(5*,#-"-8551-550,35
(5-*#,#./&5#,.),5(5!05,.,.-5
,)/(5."58
5"05,#05'(35)()&(5
messages from his colleagues and friends
that show how much he was appreciated
astrobiology is the sequence of steps

which would allow us to learn more
about life beyond the Solar System
The conference served the crucial purpose of bringing people together to discuss
")15-.5.)5*,)85(5."(%-5.)5."5
conference, a consensus is closer now
."(5#.51-5 ),_8
"#&5."5)( ,(51-5().5)*(5
29
.)5."5*/&#65]-5-.,)#)&)!35
(-.#./.5,)-.55&#05 5) 5."5
entire conference, which remains available online at the following address:
https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/seminars/
featured-seminar-channels/conferences-and-workshops/2014/3/16/search-for-life-beyond-the-solar-system-conference/
(5 ,"5ig65."5.#(5-,0.),35
(5."5)(.#&5,!),#(5(#0,-#.35
organized the second part of the seminar
on the beginning and end of the universe
from the point of view of science, philo-)*"35(5.")&)!385#(5."5+/-.#)(5
of the end of the cosmos does not exclude, but rather, encourages us to move
beyond the horizons of science, it was an
good initiative for the educational community of the Gregorian University and
the general public to discuss and reflect
/*)(5."-5#--/-85
,!(#4535 5."5
-,0.),35")-.55'.#(!5) 5 5
),%#(!5,)/*5)(5&(.,35/, 5
)'(&./,65*,#&5m7o85
(#0,-#.365)'65 ,"65ig5R5!055
,-*)(-5.)5/35 ]-5
&./,5)(5\
-/#.-5(5#(]65.5(.5)/-65(#0,-#.35) 5)()(5)(5
the occasion of the 400th anniversary of
3.",)*5)&&!65(#0,-#.35) 5)()(5
/(5go85
5!05(5#(0#.5.&%5)(5
^#-.),35) 5-.,)()'35#(5##&3_5.5."5
5'#(,#)5#5()')(#55 &65
&,')65*,#&5j7l55R5!05(5#(0#.5.&%5
)(5."5,&.#)(-"#*5.1(5#.,)5"#(#5(5#/-**5),(4)(#65 .#(!5
for the commemoration of the centenary
of the death of the astronomer Giuseppe
),(4)(#65)065
/&35m7n5R5.)!.",5
1#."5/."),5)&)5,((#5B5;5)(4#)(5#(455(#65#,(4C5!05
5.&%5)(5."5&,')5;5)'5 ,45
.&-)*-5.5."5#(.#5 (-.,/'(.5
3'*)-#/'5hfgj65,./5B-.)(#C65/!/-.5hf7hk5R5!05(5#(0#.5.&%5)(5."5
'.,#&5",#.!5) 5&,')5-,0.),35.55)( ,(5)(5^5)&&4#)(#5
-#(.#"5(&&],5*&,'#.(_5&,')65.),5hi7hj8
Staff Presentations, Academic Activities, and Conference Participation

51-5,-.5/."),5)(5)(5(5
co-author on a second poster paper at
."5hhi,5 .#(!5) 5."5',#(5
-.,)()'#&5)#.365-"#(!.)(6565
(/,35k7o
5..(5."5#,,35(5 (),'.#)(5,0#-5#(5-.,)()'35B 5
C65"&5.5 575-.,)()'#&5
-,0.),35) 5*)#')(.65
/(5gm7
hf65hfgj65*&-65 .&35R5."5/,)*(5
%5) 5-.,)()'35(5*5#(5
B5hfgjC5
/(5if@
/&35j65hfgj65
Geneva, Switzerland
5!055*)-.!,/.5&./,5
(5-'#(,5)(5\5#(.#5 (.&#.35
(5/&#5&."5."#-]5.53.",)*5
)&&!65(#0,-#.35) 5)()(65,/,35
gh5R5!055&./,5)(5\5(5(5
Aim of the Universe at the Gregorian
30
Dr. Ileana Chinnici

5*,-(.5."5(((5./,5.5."55(((5 (-.#./.5) 5
."5 !(.#(5(.,5 ),5
-/#.5/.#)(65
(.5&,5(#0,-#.365.#.&55^"35
#(5-5)_5,/,35gg5R5&#vered the Commencement Address for
the Georgetown University College of
,.-5(5#(-5 35gm5R55
*,-(.55**,5)(5^
-/#.-5(5
Science at a two day colloquium held
in honor of the 400th anniversary of
3.",)*5)&&!65)()(65
/(5go5R5
presented a luncheon talk to The Assem&35) 5.")&#5,) --#)(&-65,#-(5
/-.,&#5.),5gl5R5*,-(.5."5
&./,5^-.,)()'#&5 -5.5,5
Almost Correct the American Astro()'#&5)#.35#0#-#)(5 ),5&(.,35
Sciences at their annual meeting at
(.((#&5&&65(#0,-#.35) 5,#4)(5
R5*,-(.5.1)5**,-5#(5&-#(%#65#(&(95-.,)#-5)'.-5 .),-5
/(5
if575
/&35j5R5*,-(.55**,5/-)(65
,#4)(955((/&5 .#(!65)0',5o5@5gj85
5)7/."),55**,51#."5
,!,.5))(5***),.5.5."5gk."5
/,)*(5)( ,(5)(5#(5(5
)&)!365#(5--#-#65 .&365*,#&5if575 35
j5R51-5,-.5/."),5)(5)(5*)-.,5**,5
and co-authored two others at the18th
',#!5),%-")*5)(5))&5.,-65
.&&,53-.'-65(5."5/(65.5&!-.65,#4)(65
/(5n7gi5R5!05(5#(0#ted paper and joined a panel at the Clavius Group Symposium Gods Action
#(5."5),&_5.5."5(#0,-#.35) 5).,5
'65 (#(65)(5
/&35gl5(5gm855
Symposium honored the memory of
.",5#&&#'55R5*,-(.5
5**,51#."5 ,!,.5))(5***),.5
/,#(!5."5hfgj5 (.,(.#)(&5#!5#-.),35--)#.#)(5B C5)( ,(65
.5)'#(#(5(#0,-#.35) 5&# ),(#65
(5 &65&# ),(#65/!/-.5l7gf5R5
)'*&.51#."5 ,!,.5))(5*paport the draft of an educational book
)(5*5#(5(5-.,)()'365),."5
),%65#,!#(#65 ,)'5/!/-.5gg7*.',5gi8
5!05%3().5,---5)(5."5
-#(.#51),%5) 5."5)#.35) 5
-/-5
.5."5
((7*5#3*."5(.,5
),5#(7&#!#)(5./#-5h75l5,/,35#(5/(65(5.5."5 (-.#./.5) 5
"#&)-)*"35(5&#!#)(5m7gg5,/,35
#(5)"#65,&65 (#5R55*,.##*.5
.5."5km."5 .#(!5) 5."5,!(.#(5
--)#.#)(5) 5-.,)()'35#(5,)65
,!(.#(5Bgk7go5*.',C5(5!05
a public lecture on the beginning and
."5(5) 5."5/(#0,-5R55*,.##*.5
#(5."5&(,35---#)(5) 5."5)(.#&5
Academy of Sciences giving the paper
^5)-'#5(95 ,)'5."5,."5.)5."5
(#0,-_65.),5hj7hn5R5*,.##*.5
#(5."5*,-(..#)(5.5."5)(.#&5,!),#(5(#0,-#.35) 5."5))%535 &(5
Chinnici and Antonella Gasperini on
."5),,-*)((5.1(5,5(!&)5
"#5(5#.,)5"#(#5.5."5),#!#(-5
) 5."5 .&#(5-.,)()'35R5!05.&%-5
)(5#(5(5#."5.)5."5-./(.-5) 5
(!#(,#(!5(5"3-##(-5) 5."5(#0,-#5.&#55,)8
5!055.&%5)(5."5.#(5-,0.),35.55'.#(!5(.#.&50(5ars in Chile: The Accomplishments and
)&-5) 54"5-.,)()',-5#(565
,!/65*,#&5gj7gl5R5!05.1)5&./,-5
at Civitas Academia 2014, an annual
,.,.5) 5."5"#&)-)*"#&5/&.35) 5
the Catholic University of Slovakia,
,(5),65
/(5go7hh5R5*,.##*.5
#(5."5jl."5'.#(!5) 5."5#0#-#)(5) 5
&(.,35#(-5) 5."5',#(5
Astronomical Society, held in Tucson on
)0',5gf7gj8
5*,.##*.5#(5."5hfgj5
5#(.,5"))&5#(5/!5),365
/*,!,0#.365/*,-.,#(!-5.565
(065,/,35i7m5R51-5,-*)((.5
.)5,) 85)(5(.)(#)5#.,)&5/,#(!5."5
)(735)( ,(5'.#(!5^5#(5
dell Universo, at the Gregorian Univer-#.365 ,"5ig5R5!055.&%5)(5^)'*,#(!5)/&5.,#(!5),35.#)(-_5.5
."5 .#(!5^,)&'#5../&#5#5#-#5
),#_65#.,#5-/&5 ,65*,#&5gg7gl5
R5*,.##*.5.5."5 5hfgj5
)( ,(5#(5,#(.)(5B
C65
/(5hi7
hm651",5"5*,-(.55*)-.,51#."5,85
,()544&&5B 5*&-5#0#-#)(C5
R5*,.##*.5(5!055.&%5)(5^)'*,#(!5)/&5.,#(!5),35.#)(-_5.5
."5'.#(!5) 5."5^ _5B .&#(5
)#.35 ),5,0#..#)(&5"3-#-C5#(5
&--(,#65*.',5gj7go8
5!055**,5.#.&5^& fending mechanisms of science at the

)(!,--5) 5'#5/&./,65,%165
)&(65 ,"5hf7hh5R5!055**,5.#.&5^/'5/-5&/&._5.50)&/.#)(-5
#(5-.#0&65,%165)&(655 35
m7gg5R5!055**,5.#.&5^5*",5
,#!'5#(5)-')&)!3_5.5# .35,-5
) 5,)15-.,)()'365,%165)&(5
)(5 35gm5R5!055**,5.#.&5^,)'5
."5#!5(!5.)5/&!-95)15.)5
/-.# 35#-.),3>_5.5."5j."5)(!,--5) 5
)&#-"5#(.#5)#.#-5)(52#&5#(5
,%165)&(65*.',5j7m5R5!055
**,5.#.&5^)-'#5#'5(5/'(5
#'_5.5#(655)&#-"5,-*.#05#(5
2 ),65865.),5hj7hk8
Fr. Michael Heller

5*,.##*.5#(5."5jl."5
'.#(!5) 5."5#0#-#)(5) 5&(.,35
Sciences of the American Astronomical
)#.365"&5#(5/-)(565)(5)0',5o7gj8
1'(5 (-.#./.5#(5**-&651(655
(.#.&5^))%#(!5*95")/&5)&)!35
(5"#&)-)*"3535..(.#)(5.)5-.,)()'3>_5*.',5g5R5&#0,5."5
)"(5
&0#(5 #,5./,5)(5#(5(5
)&)!35(.#.&5^,]-5))%#(!5.5
)/95#(5(5&#!#)(5#(5 /./&5
!,_65.5.85(,1-5(#0,-#.365/,#(/,!65),."5,)&#(65.),5hg5R5
gave presentations concerning his recent
)7/."),5))%65)/&5)/5*.#45(52.,.,,-.,#&65.5."51'(5
Center of the University of Arizona on
.),55o5(5.5.85 ,3]-5./(.5
,#-"5.5."5(#0,-#.35) 5 #"#!(5)(5
.),5gl85
5!05(5#(0#.5.&%5)(5^# 5
#(5."5(#0,-_65.5 5)(!,-)55/&./,5#(.65(.,)5/&./,&55 )(65(.#!)65"#&65hh5.),5R5.&%5
)(5^55/,0395--)(-5,(_5
.555),%-")*65,,)5&(65
(.#!)65"#&65*.',5gf5R5#(0#.5
)&&)+/#/'5)(5^5 #&&((#/'5 (-.#./.5) 5-.,)*"3-#-_65.55#./,65
(.#!)65"#&65/!/-.5gi5R5#(0#.5
talk on The VVV Survey, Carnegie
-,0.),#-65-(56565
/(5
gf5R5#(0#.5.&%5)(5^.,5&/-.,-51#."5
."55/,03_65.55),%-")*5)(5
),'.#)(5(50)&/.#)(5) 5.,5&/-.,-655#./,65(.#!)65 35gk5R5
5..(5."55jk."5/(,5
(5&(.,35#(5)( ,(655
))&(-565 ,"5gm7hg5R5."5mm."5
((/&5 .),#.#&5)#.35 .#(!65
-&(5 ),))65*.',5n7gi5
R5."5jl."55#0#-#)(5 ),5&(.,35
#(5 .#(!65/-)(565)0',5o7gj5R5*,.##*.5#(5."5 )/,."5
-) *51),%-")*5.5."5 .&#(5*5
!(365)'5)0',5go7hf8
5&#0,5."5#(/!/,&5
lecture of the academic year at the
Prof. Dante Minniti
31
#(0#.5&%5)(5^55,)$._65
.5."55),%-")*65,)65,!(.#(65*,#&5hj5R5),!(#4,5(5&./,,5
) 5."5# ."55#(5),%-")*65
"&5#(5)(5)(65"#&65*,#&5i5R5#(0#.5
.&%5)(5^2)*&(.5,"-51#."5
."55/,03_65.5."5),%-")*5) 5
&(.,35#(-55hfgj65),)65
,!(.#(65,/,35hm5R5#(0#.5.&%5
)(5^55/,039515-/&.-_65.5
),%-")*5)(5."5),'.#)(5(50)&/.#)(5) 5."5 #&%353652.(5(.,5 ),5
"3-#-652.(65 .&365
(/,35hf5R5.&%5
.5 5((/&5 .#(!5)(5^& 5
35.",)/!"5."55/,03_65)-5
(-65"#&65
(/,35gi5R5#(0#.5&%5
)(5^,"5 ),52.,.,,-.,#&5# _65.5
5)(!,-)5&5/./,)65"#&(5(.65
(.#!)65o5
(/,38
Educational and Public Outreach
5!055*,-(..#)(5.)5."5
-./(.-5) 5."5(#0,-#.35) 5&&-5
)'5'*/-5#(5,..)"#65 .&35)(5
^#."5(5#(_5
(/,35hf5R5!055
presentation to the students of Trivium
,*,.),35"))&5#(5))3,655)(5
^5)/,5,)/!"5*_5 ,"5m8
5(5(.)(&&5-*,#(#5
B 7--,0.),#)5-.,)-#)5#5,.,#C5!055*/&#5)( ,(5)(5."5
correspondence between Secchi and
"#(#5#(5&,')5)(5
(/,35gk5(5
#(555)&)!(5 ,"5l5R5!055*/&#5
)( ,(5)(5)'(5#(5-.,)()'35#(5
!!#)5&,#65 ,"5n5R5!055*/&#5
conference on the history of lunar cartography in Reggio Calabria, September
l5R5.)!.",51#."5(.)(&&5-*,#(#5
B 7--,0.),#)5-.,)-#)5#5,.,#C5*,-(.5."#,5))%5)(5."5),,spondence between Secchi and Tacchini
.5,!),#(5(#0,-#.365)0',5hf5R5
collaborated in preparation of the exhi#.#)(5^ !#-.,#5-.,)()'#5 ,)'5glth
to 19th century: Cristophorous Clavius,
Galileo Galilei, Angelo Secchi, Rome,
)0',8
5(5 ,!,.5))(5
***),.5*,-(.55.&%5)(5^ .,#25
32
Thinking in Science, Religion, and Art,

accompanied by astronomy skits, to The
,#(5&/5.5.85)'-5."5*)-.&5
"/,"65/-)(65,#4)(65)(5
(/,35
n5R5)(5,/,35hf5-*)%5)/.5^(5
-.,)()',]-5#."_5.5."5 ("-.,5
(#0,-#.35"*&#(365(!&(65(5
(2.535*#5."5,-.50#-#.5) 55.#(5
astronomer for 70 years to the Godlee
-,0.),385#-50#-#.51-5")-.535
(.")(35,)--65-.5,-#(.5) 5."5
("-.,5-.,)()'#&5)#.35R5
)(5 ,"5gi651#."5 ,!,.5))(5
Rappaport, presented a talk, illustrated
1#."5-%#.-65)(5^5,"#-.),35) 5,.#-.#5
#(%#(!95,)'5."5)*"#-.#.5 (5
%5.)5."51(5) 5(.#(5#(5 ,#_5.5."5
)"(50#5 ))(35)/(.#)(65"#!)65 &&#()#-5R5-*)%5)(5^&#&)5@5#-.),365#(5(5#."_5 ),5."5
)),,)5#."5;5#(5./,5,#-65
15 2#)65 ,"5hm5R5!055-#'#&,5
.&%65^&#&)6_5)(5 ,"5ho5.5."5 ''(/&5,-3.,#(5"/,"65&/+/,+/6515 2#)5R5)(5.),5gl65#(5
the Third-Thursday Star Talks series of
."5,-)..5-.,)()'35&/65*,-(.5
5#&)!/5(5-%#.-51#."5 ,!,.5)one Rappaport on Astronomy Skits for
)(,35"))&5#(5/.#)(_5
.5."5,-)..5/&#5#,,365,-)..65
,#4)(8
5!05*,-(..#)(-5(5*/&#5
lectures on Astronomy, the Vatican
-,0.),365(5#(7#."5#&)!5
.5.#(5-,0.),35)/(.#)(5minar in Tucson, at the Universidad Ca.&#55,/!/35(5)&!#)5&5'#(,#)65 )(.0#):5(#0,-#5.&#5
5,)65(#0,-#550,,65
'*&)(65*#(65 !&#5(5 ,.#(5
,(65 .&365#&&5 ,-65(5/#-65
Argentina, where he was declared illu-.,#)/-50#-#.),535."5#.35)/(#&8
5!05 )/,5.&%-5#(5&.)035(5
#"&05 35hh7hi5R5*,.##*.5#(5."5
ig-.53,5) 5#3&655-0(7353&#(!5
tour of observatories in former Czechoslovakia, celebrating 10 masses and
!#0#(!5l5.&%-5B#*.)0-%5 #%/&65.,5
/)065*#-%5)05-65065
0)&(-%5&.#(65(-%53-.,#C5/!/-.5h7gf8
51-5#(0#.5#(0#.535
)%"/,-.5(#0,-#.35B(--5#.365 5
888C5-5)(5) 5."5-*%,-5) 5."5
#-#.#(!5")&,5hfgi7hfgj5./,-85
5!055.&%5)(5^5#!!-5)-)(5(5
#.-5&0(_5)(5 ,"5j5R5!055.&%5
at the Specola in Castel Gandolfo for
."5'*&)3-5) 5."5
-/#.5#!"5"))&5
#(5)'5^ &5 --#')_5)(5*.',5h5
R5.))%5*,.65-55-*%,65.5^&5)..5#5
#,.),#_5.5."5.#)(&5),.),#-5
) 5,-.#5) 5."5 .&#(5.#)(&5 (-.#./.5B C65*.',5hm855
5./!".5.1)5'-.,-7&0&5
)/,--5#(5*"#&)-)*"35.5."5)(.#&5
,!),#(5(#0,-#.35#(5hfgj85/,#(!5
."5-*,#(!5-'-.,5,85 5./ght 29 students in his course The Con*.5) 5\),]5#(5)-')&)!3_855/,#(!5
."5 &&5-'-.,5"5./!".5gl5-./(.-5#(5
"#-5)/,-5^"#&)-)*"35#(5#(_5R51-5
invited to conduct a session on preaching
),5
-/#.5-")&-.#-5.5."5 (.,(.#)(&5
)&&!5) 5."5-/65 ,"5i8
5!050,#)/-5*/&#5
&./,-5#(5."5&-5) 5)-,0.#)(&5
cosmology and science-faith relations in
)0,65 #&()65&&/()65,#(#-#5(5
)08
News and Media Coverage
51-5#(.,0#1535,15
,#(#65&0(.5#)65)(5',5
hi5)/.5."5",#-.'-5.,8551-5
&-)5#(.,0#1535((5)-!.65 ),5
/-)(5%&365
(/,35fo65^ (5) 5
#(65 (5) 5#."6_5"..*9II1118./-)(1%&38)'I./-)(I'(7) 7-#(7
'(7) 7 #."I)(.(.>)#iojgihh5
5!05#(.,0#1-5.)5(.,)5
Televisivo Vaticano, Vatican Radio, Rai
/.#)(&5 .&3655,'(3655
,'(365'#!&#5,#-#.#(5 .&365(5i5,!(.#(65#)5 #.,5,!(.#(65 65#5/)&5B/.#&/-C8
5!05#(.,0#1-5#(5."54"5
*/&#5.)5.)&#%35.3(#%5*/&#shed on September 9 and in Slovakia to
*)-.)38-%5*/&#-"5)(5
/&35hk5(5 )4#%5*/&#-"5)(5*.',5gj85
5"-5(5#(.,0#15)(5.1)5
different occasions by the on-line news
agency Aleteia on September 15, regarding Godels theorem on the existence
) 5)5(5)(5.),5hm65(5)(5)*5
,(#-]-5,--5.)5."5)(.#&5demy of Sciences on the Origins of the
(#0,-8
5!05(5#(.,0#15)(5."5#5
/)&5*,)!,'5^/.#&/-_51"#"5#,5
',5hh8
An extract from the cartoon produced by the Italian

magazine A sua immagine
depicting the visit by His
Holiness Pope Francis to
the VO in 2013. This page
shows VO director Fr. Funes showing Pope Francis a
piece of meteorite found in
Buenos Aires.
33
publicationS
BOOKS
6585
85(5 658585BhfgjC85Would You Baptize
an Extraterrestrial?515),%95 '!5
))%-85hoi5**8
(5)/&5)/5*.#45(52.,.,,-.,#&>55*&(.,35-#(.#-.5,85/35
5(5*"#&)-)*",5) 5
-#(5,85/&5 552*&),55
variety of questions at the crossroads of
#."5(5,-)(95)15)53)/5,)(#&5
."5#!5(!51#."5(-#->5-5."5.,5
) 5."&"'5$/-.55*#)/-5,&#!#)/-5-.),35
or an actual description of astronomical
0(.->5".5,&&351(.5)(5.1(5
&#&)5(5."5.")&#5"/,"5@5(5
why do the effects of that confrontation
-.#&&5,0,,.5.)5."#-53>5#&&5."5
Universe come to an end? And could
you really baptize an extraterrestrial?
,#..(5#(55#&)!/5 ),'65-55-,#-5
of conversations over a six day period,
the two men seek to answer some of the
most frequently asked questions that
arise when people think of faith and
-#(855/&#-"5#(5.),5hfgj5(5
available in hardback and paperback, the
book appeals to people from all walks of
life, is eminently readable, witty and ulti'.&35.")/!".5*,)0)%#(!8
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
*-658656585865(0##/-65
865.,#3-65865(0##/-65865/!&3-65

865BhfgjC85/-.5#(!5.5."5'&)*,&#-5(5,-/-5),,855AAS Meeting
34
hhi65ijl8hg5B-.,.C
.,#3-65865 #&#/-658656585
865,6585
865 /(,#65865&),(6585
865,(#-658654&/-%-65865(0##/-65865
65865(0##/-65
865
/!&3-65865BhfgjC8555(#!'5) 5."5
*(5&/-.,5 ho5B5logiC5)&085
8
85gjn65no85B,#09gjfm8lhogC
.,#3-658656585865
65
865/!&3-658654&/-%-65865BhfgiC855
#4#5(&#(5.5.&)!95#&(#/-5
").)'.,35) 5 5gnfk5.,-85#4#5
(7&#(5.5.&)!95
IIkkjIi8
&),43%65 865,(#-6586565
85865/!&3-65865BhfgjC85#-)0,35
(53('#&5",.,#4.#)(5) 5."5
'),7&--5-.,)#5hfgh5gl85 5jin65hlhg575hlii8
#&#/-658656585865,6585
865
65865.,#3-65865,(#-65865
/!&3-65865(0##/-65865(0##/-65
8654&/-%-65865'#&!3-65865
BhfgiC850(7)&),5").)'.,35(5
&--#.#)(5) 5.,-5#(5."5#,.#)(5
) 5*(5&/-.,5 5ho5B5logiC5#(5
3!(/-85Baltic Astronomy5hh65gng7hhg8
.,#3-65865 -%)&#/(-65 86565
85865(0##/-65865(0##/-65
865
/!&3-658654&/-%-65865BhfgjC855
*(5&/-.,55mgjh95 (.,-.&&,5
2.#(.#)(65#-.(5(5!85MNRAS
jim65glhn7glik8
.,#3-65865 -%)&#/(-65 86565
85865,5 ),)(#6585865)!(&&#65865
(0##/-65865(0##/-65
865/!&3-658654&/-%-65865BhfgjC855#-.(5.)5."5)/(!5&/-.,55mgho5
(5#.-5!85MNRAS5jin65gnjn575gnkk8
%-.#(65865/!&3-658650'65
865
6585865BhfgiC515(&3-#-5) 5
5.#5.,55hifihji85Precision
Asteroseismology, Proceedings IAU Symposium5ifg65**85jlo7jmf8
6585865
65865.,#3-65
865/!&3-6585BhfgjC85*50(7)&),5").)'.,35(5&--#.#)(5) 5
.,-5#(5."53!5h5--)#.#)(85AAS
Meeting5hhi65jjh8fi5B-.,.C
65865BhfgjC85).5/1, 5
.,-5(5."5 85,)#(!-5) 5
."5l."5)( ,(5)(5).5/1, 5
.,-5(5&.5$.-85ASPC, 481,
hhk7hhn8
65865BhfgjC85,)'5.,5.)5
the Stars: a reinterpretation of Galileos
-.3&85 (9585)5)-.,)5(585#("'5
B-8C5Aqua Incognita: why ice floats on
water and Galileo 400 years on. Connor
)/,.575&&,.65/-.,&#65hfgj65**85
g7gm8
65 865(44)5865-#585
BhfgjC65 (-.,/'(.-5)(5')0#5-.-955-5
-./39585%,'((658585,',65(5
85 #(#.#5B-C65Scientific Instruments on Display65,#&&5/&#-",-65#(5
hfgj65**85gnn7gon8
85#("#5;5 85 65^],,/tina della cometa, Giornale di Astronomia5jf65(85h65hfgj65**85in7jg8
,#..6585865 65865
(5) -%36585BhfgjC85 #(7&.5-.,)#-85 (5Encyclopedia of the Solar System,
#,5#.#)(5B9585*)"(6585
)"(-)(65
(585,/,C65(5#!)95'#5
,--8
,#..65865)")/.5865"&&#(!6585(5
6585
85BhfgjC85*5
weathering in olivine and the minera&)!35) 5B-)'C5 &--5-.,)#-857
5'.#(!65-.,.5kfl8fg
,#..6585865"&&#(!6585865 6585
865(5,&36585BhfgjC85
Space weathering on volatile-rich aste,)#-855Lunar Planet. Sci. 65-.,.5
hflm8
6585
85BhfgjC855
#."5(,#"535-#(85Retreats 2014,
gl7go8
6585
85BhfgjC85.5
&)-.5#(5-*85U. S. Catholic5mo65ij7io8
6585
85BhfgjC85&--#5#(5.#()85LOsservatore Romano,
hm5
/(65*85k
6585
85BhfgjC85#..&5
-.,)#5/,(#(!5,#!".85The Tablet65hln65
(/,35hk65ih8
6585
85BhfgjC85
V'h85The Tablet,5hln65,/,35hh65il8
6585
85BhfgjC85
))(5'."-85The Tablet,5hln65 ,"5hh65

ih8
6585
85BhfgjC85#!5
(!5#&&85The Tablet,5hln65*,#&5hl65il8
6585
85BhfgjC85
2*.5-/,*,#--85The Tablet,5hln65 35
hj65ih8
6585
85BhfgjC85,,5) 5."5"0(-85The Tablet,5hln65
/(5
hn65ih8
6585
85BhfgjC85)15
divine is olivine? The Tablet,5hln65
/&35hl65
ih8
6585
85BhfgjC85",5,'-5)'5.,/85The Tablet,5hln65
/!/-.5hi65ih8
6585
85BhfgjC85&&5
) 5."5.#85The Tablet,5hln65*.',5
hm65ih8
6585
85BhfgjC85,)65
villain or victim? The Tablet,5hln65.),5hk65ih8
65865 6585
85
(5,#..658585BhfgjC85 .),#.5.5
*#.#-95-/&.-5.)5.85roceedings
of Asteroids, Comets, Meteors: Helsinki,
Finland.5-.,.8
5865/,,#(#65865
)&%658650.-)055865#,)()6585(5
-#!(#-6585BhfgjC85-.5#-5().5(5#(..5
*,).)*&(.85Proceedings of Asteroids, Comets, Meteors: Helsinki, Finland.5-.,.8
6585
865/,,#(#65
865)&%65865
/.4#5 865#,)()65865
0.-)06585(5-#!(#-6585BhfgjC85-.5
#-5().5(5#(..5*,).)*&(.85AAS-DPS
meeting65-.,.5kff8fi8
# ,6585865 6585
865,#..6585865
,0#(!6585
85(5 65
85
85BhfgjC855(-#.365*),)-#.365(5
magnetic susceptibility of martian me.),#.-5-5)(-.,#(.-5)(5!,0#.35')&-85
Lunar Planet. Sci.565-.,.5hfhn8
6585
865 6585
865(5,#..658585BhfgjC85.5*#.35
'-/,'(.-5) 55'.),#.-5 ,)'5
."5.#(5)&&.#)(85Lunar Planet. Sci.
65-.,.5goho8
6585
865# ,6585865,#..6585865
6585
865(5 ,0#(!65
85
85BhfgjC8515&/(,5-'*&5(-#.35
and magnetic susceptibility measureVatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014
'(.-85Lunar Planet. Sci.565-.,.5

gojo8
6585
85(5 6585
85BhfgjC85),)-#.35(5*),5
geometry dependence of meteorite ther'&5)(/.#0#.#-85Meteorit. Planet Sci.
jo65-.,.8
6585
865 6585
85(5,#..658585BhfgjC85.5*#.#-5
) 5),#(,35")(,#.-85Meteorit. Planet
Sci.5jo655-.,.8
/--&&658565
)36585865
,#-6585865
6585
865(.)(5
,-&3585BhfgjC85.,)!(#.35#(5
lunar anorthosite meteorites: implica.#)(-5 ),5."5&/(,5'!'5)(5')&85
Philosophical Transactions A,5imh65#85
hfghfhjg8
"&&#(!6585865,#..6585865,&365865
(5 6585
85BhfgjC85
*51.",#(!5)(5 ,/,35(5-.855
Lunar Planet. Sci.565-.,.5hgmo8
/,,#(#65865)'65
87865 ),6585
865%&365865#((.65
8765,..3'(65
85865 1(6585865 6585
8655(.#-65 858655
),,65865)(!),)65865&)'65865
/--&&658585BhfgjC855)(.'#(.#)(5
of the surface of Vesta by impacts and
."5&#0,35) 5."5,%5'.,#&85Icarus
hjf65nl7gfh8
BhfgjC85(52*,.5)'*/.,5,)!,'5
),5&--# 3#(!5.,-5)(5."5 5*.,&5
&--#.#)(53-.'65Astron.J.,147, 80nl8
,3658865%(65
8 86565
8
865,#&365 8 865/&&,658865',.6588651-)'65 8 865"#&,-65
8
865BhfgjC855)/(!5)&,5(&)!-5
,)$.65#(518th Cambridge Workshop on
Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun,
Proceedings of Lowell Observatory, -85
850(5&&5;585,,#-65Bhttp://www2.
658
865BhfgjC85,5#,,5
#&",55",#(5
65#(%#(!5#."65
65
885BhfgjC85)5-!/,)5*ziente, LOsservatore Romano65)0',5
hf65*85j
658
865BhfgjC85))%50#195 &#5&#)5B8C65From Teilhard to
Omega: Co-creating an Unfinished Universe, Thinking Faith,
6585BhfgjC855*(5))%5) 5
./,85Tarsicius65
(/,35hfgj65*85j7k8
6585BhfgjC85)15)/.5&#&)85
Tarsicius65,/,35hfgj65*85gk8
6585BhfgjC85.,)3(5 (.,,)'.,351#."55/*,)(.#(//'5)&5
-#&&.),85 (95-)&0#(!55/./,5 5
-.,)()'35#."5)(!7-&#(5 (.,,)'.,35,)#(!-5) 55)( ,(5
"&5hn7ig5 ,"5hfgg65.515 2#)5
(-.#./.5) 5 #(#(!5(5"()&)!365
)),,)6515 2#)6585#.5
35 #"&&5
85,"7%'(65
)35
85/4#%65(5),.585.(&855
)( ,(5,#-65)&85jnm85Astronomical
Society of the Pacific65*85hli8
http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20140122_1.
htm
https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/
teilhard-omega-co-creating-unfinished-universe
658
865,3658865%(65
8 865',.658865BhfgjC85"),.7.,'5
.#0#.35#(5)/(!5)&,5(&)!-65#(5
18th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars,
Stellar Systems, and the Sun, Proceedings
of Lowell Observatory,5-85850(5&&5
;585,,#-65Bhttp://www2.lowell.edu/
workshops/coolstars18/proceedings.htmlC65
ifm7igg8
,3658865(5658
865
lowell.edu/workshops/coolstars18/proceedings.
htmlC65gnh7gof8
%(65
8 865,365886565
8
865,#&365 8 865BhfgjC855)/(!5
)&,5(&)!-5,)$.95-,0.#)(-5;5
Analysis, in 18th Cambridge Workshop on
Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun,
Proceedings of Lowell Observatory,5-85
850(5&&5;585,,#-65Bhttp://www2.
lowell.edu/workshops/coolstars18/proceedings.
htmlC65gig7gil8
5(!&#-6585 65865 ,)..65

85(544&&65865)'*,#(!5)/&5
.,#(!5),35.#)(85Journal of High
Energy Physics,5fj5BhfgjC5gmg8
6865!,)#6565^ &5#&''5
&&] ((#.)_85La Civilt Cattolica, 3297
BhfgjC5hlo7hng8
35
1#(&&65865
)"(-)(6586565865
,65865/(%65865,)/465 85
BhfgjC85/,(#(!55,').&35)(.,)&&&5
observatory into a fully autonomous
-3-.'85Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume
ogjo65**,5ogjohg8
,(6585865&&(65865&0,45&5-.#&&)6585 865,)#)/-6585865),&&365
85
8650#-6585865&)658586565865&&65
85865
((/4#65865,-)(65
85 865 #!"&&6585
865(65865"(%&(6585865&%,6585865#&&#'-65865
,#.-%3658585BhfgjC85,)!,--5#(5,%5
%35,)..#)(5#(5)/.",(5,#4)(85
American Astronomical Society, AAS
Meeting hhi65**,5jgi8fk8
65 86585$(5BhfgjC85Elements of Natural Philosophy, Copernicus
(.,5,--65,%155B#(5)&#-"C8
65 85BhfgjC85Elements of Quantum Mechanics for Philosophers, new edi.#)(65)*,(#/-5(.,5,--65,%155
B#(5)&#-"C8
65 865,$1-%#6585BhfgjC85Are
Physics and Mathematics Human Sciences?
)*,(#/-5(.,5,--65,%155B#(5
)&#-"C8
65 85BhfgjC85Limits of Science,
8535 85)")&65851#.%65)*,(#/-5(.,5,--65,%155B#(5)&#-"C8
65 85BhfgjC85Travels with philosophy5-)(5(&,!5#.#)(65(%65
,%15B#(5)&#-"C8
65 85BhfgjC85515"3-#-5(5
15)&)!35B."#,5),,.5#.#)(C65
)*,(#/-5(.,5,--65,%15B#(5
)&#-"C8
65 865
853#-%#5BhfgjC855Is
the Universe Machine or Thought? with
)&&),.#)(5) 9585$(65 8565
85
44-(365
85,(#65-)(5(&,!5
and corrected edition, Copernicus Cen.,5,--65,%18
Mathematical Structures of the Universe,
-895 85%-.#(65 85658
85
43%65)*,(#/-5(.,5,--65,%15hfgj8
3-#%65865%-.#(65 86565 865
-#(65865BhfgjC85'##,.5,)/.5) 5
Groupoids and Associated Algebras, Demonstratio Mathematica,5jm65(,85h65hfgj65
36
hno7hoo8
65 65',.65865(.)&)!35
(5)()''/..#05)'.,365#(95
Mathematical Structures of the Universe,
-895 85%-.#(65 85658
85
43%65)*,(#/-5(.,5,--65,%15hfgj65**85ijg7ikj8
65 8655#&5) 5.#)(&#.35
and Category Theory, in: Mathematical Structures of the Universe,5-895 85
%-.#(65 85658
8543%65
)*,(#/-5(.,5,--65,%15hfgj65
**85jjg7jkm8
65
8865(5,!(,).",5
8865BhfgjC855Synoptic Observations for
Physical Characterization of Fast Rotator
NEOs,575'.#(!65-.,.55
hgi8gg8
,#,#"65
85 865/#(585865,585865
1#(&585865 -"-(585865#0,-5 85
865(5 585
85BhfgjC5(#(.5
porosity preserved in ordinary chondrites: Shock, compaction and thermal
'.'),*"#-'85Meteoritics and Planetary
Science5jo95ghgj7ghig8
585
85(5 5
85
85BhfgjC5),)-#.35(5),5)'.,35 (/(5)(5 .),#.5,'&5
)(/.#0#.#-8577th Annual Meteoritical
Society Meeting, -.,.5kfjk8
585
865 585
85(5,#..58585BhfgjC5.5*#.#-5
) 5,#(,35")(,#.-8577th Annual
Meteoritical Society Meeting, abstract
kfjl8
585
865# ,585865,#..585865
585
865(5 ,0#(!5
85
85BhfgjC515/(,5'*&5(-#.35
(5 !(.#5/-*.##&#.35 -/,'(.-8545th Lunar and Planetary Science
Conference,5-.,.5gojo8
585
865 585
865(5,#..58585BhfgjC5.5*#.35
-/,'(.-5) 55 .),#.-5 ,)'5
."5.#(5)&&.#)(85j5th Lunar and
Planetary Science Conference, abstract
goho8
# ,585865 585
865,#..585865
,0#(!6585
865(5 5
85
85BhfgjC55(-#.365),)-#.365(5
!(.#5/-*.##&#.35) 5 ,.#(5
.),#.-5-5)(-.,#(.-5)(5,0#.35
)&-8545th Lunar and Planetary Science
Conference,5-.,.5hfhn8
65865
85
85&,#655BhfgjC85^#5&5-+/55).,-5#,,-_65B85
)'/(#,.65,)65,!(.#(C65.&)!5 95omn7onm7lfh7hof7i
0()06585865#-((65865(#406585
865&.-%365865 '$%6585865 /4#65865'#(65
85865)(6585 85
865
)/,#265865("#6585/&#-6585 )()65850#(65 865/,.065865 1.65
865),#--)065
865(5 6585
BhfgjC855^,)*,.#-5) 5."5-)&,5(#!"),5
5
fmhffi8hffnjlkg8h_65hfgj65
Astronomy & Astrophysics65#(5*,--5B,#09gjgf8lmohC8
)1-6585 865-*&/(65 865-36585
865&&,6585865)(!65865#&'),65
865#(65865),&365865--&&65 85865
-!,(65865 ,#()6585865. 6585
8651(6585 8655)-.6585865"'#.6585865#--,(65865(#"65865
&.4#(!65865&&(,#65865&&(5,#.)65
865(-365865&)'#)65865),(6585
865
(#()65865#)7&()65865'#&$(#65
865,!'((65 865)-.)65 85865'#(#65865#.,65865#&&65865)/,#"(65
85865
) ,65865,)6586550,(365865
!,#(#65865 #),65865 --,)(65865
),#&&#65865)65585865 65
865;5)&#65 85BhfgjC855^5#7SO Survey: the most metal-poor stars in
the Galactic bulge, 2014, Astronomy &
Astrophysics65#(5*,--5B,#09gjfo8mokhC8
,/365865"#**#(#65865(.&&#65865
*!(65865#!(.,#65 865#,-"#65865
-/..#65865,.)&(#65865#&&65865)&#65 865 65865,0#-(65 885
#65865;5)'46585BhfgjC85^(&3sis of red giants in the globular cluster
5lkhh_65Astronomy & Astrophysics,
#(5*,--5B,#09gjfn8hjinC8
65865#.)6585865)(4&465
85865$%/65 865)&#65 865&)(-)7,#65
865($'#(65865.&(65 865
%(365 865',-)(65
85865'*&65 865
/-6585865;5"/&."#-65 85BhfgjC855
^ #&%3535')!,*"#-51#."5."5
5/,035 850#(5 ),5."5,.5
,%5(5#(5."5gkm5 #&&#)(5.,5/&!5)&),7 !(#./5#!,'_65hfgj65

Astronomy & Astrophysics65#(5*,--5B,#09gjfo8knilC8
)$-53&658665 !&-#-65865 65
865#.)6585865;5/,).6585BhfgjC85^ 5
1, -5#(5."5hfg5#&5) 5."55
/,0385)&)/,7-5&.#)(65*.,&5
3*-5(5#!".5/,0-_65Astronomy &
Astrophysics,5#(5*,--5B,#09gjfo8fnlhC8
)&1&&65865&)(-)65865/*&(#65865
'*&65 865 0()06585865;5 6585BhfgjC855^)(,'.#)(5) 55
cluster of galaxies hidden behind the
Galactic bulge using the VVV Survey,
Astronomy & Astrophysics65#(5*,--5B,#09gilm8fhlhC8
'#(65
85865 0()065858653)65865
/#65865)(6585 85
865&&,65865
)'#,65865 65865,)'4%#65 865/,.065865)#/65865 ,.#(65
85865;5 (4658585BhfgjC855^15
temperature constraints on the coldest
,)1(51, 5%()1(5 5fnkk7fmgj_65
Astronomy & Astrophysics,5kmf65n5B,#09gjfn8kjhjC8
)$-7,,#!65865#)7&()65865
#&&6586550,(365865"/&."#-65 865
/-#/265865)&#65 865 65
865)(4&46585865&.4#(!65865#&'),65865(#"65865&&(,#65865& ,)65
85
865(-365865,!!&#65865&)'#)65865(4 '6585865(#()65865
'#&$(#65865,!'((65 865)-.)65
85865'#(#65865)/,#"(65865
) ,65
865,)65865 !,#(#65865 #),65865
),#&&#65865),)(65865),&36585
865!!#65865;53-6585BhfgjC85^5
#75/,0395 .&&##.35(5#('.#5,(-5#(5."5 #&%3535/&ge, Astronomy & Astrophysics65klo65gfi5
B,#09gjfn8jkknC8
),#(,65 85865'#$(6585
865)#--#,65
865 #&'6585865 /''65 85
865
",(&3g65585865!(#(#65865#&&(/065865)%&7 ),0(65865/(65
"/(!6587865#-6585865#0,65865
,)0#-#,65
865 65865;5)/&-)(65
85 85BhfgjC855^ **#(!5."5,&-5) 5
volatiles in the inner comae of comets
Ihfgh5l5B'')(C5(5Ihfgh5
g5B C5/-#(!5."5.'5,!5
#&&#'.,I/'#&&#'.,5,,3_65The
Astrophysical Journal Letters65moh65h5B,#09gjfn8hjknC
,(-65
85865
(%#(-65
85865
)(-658585
865)$)65865,,#!65865
),(65865
65865/)'#65 865
,-65;5
85865#(&6585BhfgjC855^,#-#)(5
,#&50&)#.#-5) 5gk5 k575 o51, -_65
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical
Society65jio65ifoj5B,#09gjfg8kikfC
#..('3,65),.58:5/)'#65 #%%):5
/.&,65858:5
)(-6585858:5(!&7-/65/#&&':5),(,65
)(."(:5
#((365858:5 ,-"&&65
858:5,.,65
858:5#&365
865&.,6585865))&65
85
865,#!".65865,(65
85865".'(6585865,,#!65865)'*-)(65 865
65865
(%#(-65
85865;5#465 85
BhfgjC855^
5nih955-/*,7,."5#(5."5
habitable zone, The Astrophysical Journal,
mog65ggj5B,#09gjfl8kknmC8
(!&)(#65865)(.,,-5')-658:5
.&(65 8:5%(365 8:5,(658:5&)(-)7,65
8:5'*&65 8:50,,.65
8:5(,1-658:5*,##)658:5'(65
858:5,!,658:5),#--)065
8:5)(.,,-5
658:5/(#&658:55,#$-658:5-*#()4658:53",'(3658:5,,#,5)*-65858:5#-"#65 8:5$/658:5(65
8:5'#(#%65858:5'*&658:5#&!)65858:5 .658:5

)(65878:5
),(65
8:51)(65
8:565
858:5 ,.(65858:5
-..#658:5 .-/(!658:5 #&)(6585
8:5 658:5 ),&&#658:5 /,!-65
8:5!3'658:50,,)658:5"(,65
8:5,4658:5#",658:5)$-7,,#!658:5)+/..65
8:5#.)65858:5#0#,)65
8:5)"(65
8:5/(!6587 8:5'/,65 8:5
.658:5)'-&&658:5)1(-(658:5
"#.&)%6585BhfgjC85^55'*&.-5,)$.5)1,-5(5/.)'.5
&--#.#)(5) 55#!".7/,0-5 85
/#&#(!55.-5) 5-.&&,50,##&#ty in the near-infrared, Astronomy &
Astrophysics65klm65gff5B,#09gjfk8jkgmC8
((..65858:5.#-.658:5)(65 858:5
((..65858:5/4/%#658:5/&#/65
87
8:55&-%#658:5)(.)1#465
8:5)4465
8:5658:55).4&,65858:5,'(65
8:5/%/(!658:5/%/#658:55 .)1658:5
)-"#').)658:5#(!65858:5 -/65
8:55 .-/,658:5 /,%#658:5'65
8:5"(#-"#658:55..(/,36585
8:5#.)65
)8:5/&&#0(6585
8:5/'#658:51.'(65
858:5,#-.,'6585
8:5-/,/'#658:565
8:5)%658585 8:55 5)&&),.#)(:5
&,)165 858:5"&.658:5,#&&(.658:5
&1&&65
85858:5--(658:55)&6585
8:5),,&-658:5)/./,-658:5#.,-65
8:5)'#(#-5,-.,658:5)/+/658:5,("#&&65
8:5),(658:5))65
878:5/-65
8:5 ,+/..65
878:5 ,.#(658:5 (4#-65
858:5"/65858:55'-!(--65
8:5#&&#'-658:5/65 8:55

)&&),.#)(:5")#65
858:5)365858:55
)(!65/):5/#65858:5)/&658:5
(658:55(,-)(65858:5 ,!),65
8:565878:55)!!65858:5"#(65 87
8:565
858:5555)&&),.#)(:5
43'-%#65 858:555%)1,)(65
8:5)&-%#65
8:5)4)1-%#658:553,43%)1-%#658:5
/#%65 8:5#.,/%)1#4658:55#.,43-%#658:5)-43-%#65 8:5&43%658:55
55)&&),.#)(:5-*,-658:5
.,.65858:555)'#(#%65 8:5,'#"6585 8:5,)1(658:55/(,.',%65
8:5#(-658:5()!,--658:5.&65
858:55)).5)&&),.#)(:5
%(365 8:5)(4&465858:53,)0-%65
8:5(),#658:555,#(-658:5/-65
858:5 658:5!3'658:55
$%/65 8:5)#(65858:5;5#.)6585
BhfgjC855^ 7hfgg77hlh95
5/7,."7 --5 ))(5,#.#(!55
-5#(.5,#',35),55#!"5&)#.35
&(.,353-.'5#(5."5&.#5/&!_65
The Astrophysical Journal65mnk65gkk5B,#09gigh8iokgC8
"/&."#-65 865"(658585
#(!6585865
)(4&46585865()%#365865/%/#65865
),##6555865$%/65 865;5 65
85BhfgjC855^ **#(!5."5 #&%3535
/&!5.5"#!"5,-)&/.#)(95."5i5/-.5
2.#(.#)(655(55 .),5'*-_65
Astronomy & Astrophysics655#(5*,--5B,#09gjfk8fkfiC
)(&65 865#$&-.,6585865&)(6585
865,#(-65865!65865;5 6585BhfgjC85^ 50,#&-5#(5
the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy:
pulsation-versus dust-driven winds on
the giant branches, Monthly Notices of
the Royal Astronomical Society, in press
B,#09gjfg8ikknC
37
'#,47&!,658655),#--)065
865
"(6585865,365865'#!)65865
65865#.)6585865#-&,65865
/,.065865'*&65 865,)'4%#65 865
&,%65
85858655!/,/&655 865 ,)65
865#,,)65865)(..)65865;5.&(65
85BhfgjC85^ --#05)*(5-.,5&/-.,-5
/-#(!5."55/,0385 8553)/(!5
massive cluster at the far edge of the Galactic bar 2014, Astronomy & Astrophysics65klj65o5B,#09gjfi8ijhnC8
),#--)065
8658585"(6585'#,465
/,"65
858585&,%65/,.065865 85
!/,/&6585 ,)65'#!)65865 6586585#6585)(..)65.&(65
86585#,,)65#-&,65865,)'4%#65
865 85 85(-)(65 0()06585865/-65
865 $--65865 )(#5##(6586585)*-%/65;5#.)658585BhfgjC85^15lactic star clusters discovered in the VVV
/,0385(#.-5*,)$.5)(5."5
inner disk and bulge area, Astronomy &
Astrophysics65#(5*,--5B,#09gjfl8mfkgC8
85,-65865."65865)3,65865
0()06585865)$)65865#,,65
85865
#&&,7##5'*.)(65865),.(365
85
865
;5 6585BhfgjC85^,)/(5-5
.,(-#.5)-,0.#)(-5) 5."5-/*,7,."5

5ghgj5_65Astronomy & Astrophysics,
klk65m5B,#09gjfi8hmhiC8
)&#65 865)(4&46585865-+/465
865#&&65865$%/65 865&(.#65865
(4#(#65865 ,.#(47&*/-.65 865/-#/265865,)1(65865 65865;5
#&&#'6585BhfgjC85^5 5
((,5/&!5/,035B C85 85/,035
-,#*.#)(5(55%#('.#&5'*5) 5
."5 #&%3535/&!_65Astronomy &
Astrophysics655klh65ll5B,#09gjfg8jnmnC
)(#5##(65865 $--65865)(..)65
865 /,)65865/,(,65865#-&,65865
,3658585865%#65865"(6587865
),'47 .'&6585865),#--)065
865
/,.065585865 65865,,,)65
865/-6585865;5#,(6585BhfgjC85
^ (0-.#!.#(!5*).(.#&5*&(.,35(/&I&/-.,5*#,-_65Astronomy & Astrophysics65klg65ggo5B,#09gigg8fmlfC8
),#--)065
865/',65 8585865'#!)65
865"(6587865/,.065865 65
85BhfgjC85^."5/-.5-"&&5,)/(5
)& 53.5-.,5lf5#(5."53)/(!5
38
-.&&,5&/-.,55fil_65Astronomical Journal65gjm65gn8

#..('3,658865(6586565 85865
),(,65
865#((36585865/.&,6585865
&.,65585865,.,6585865
)(-658585
865]))&6585
865#&365
865,#!".65865
,(65
85865".'(65585865,,#!65865)'*-)(6 865 65865;5
85#465 85BhfgjC85^5.#&5(&3-#-5) 5."55mikhl5h9g5-)((.5&netary System, The Astrophysical Journal,
mnf65gjf5B,#09gigg8lkkoC8
,#-#65865 -..#65865)$-6585865
#'(47#&(65865"0/-"3(65865&44#65856--(#6586544()65865#,65
85
865&465865 65865 ),&&#65
865;585,.#(#65585BhfgjC855^/,.5&--#.#)(5) 5mk5)/(.,*,.-5) 5
)$.-5..5#(5."5kj5')(."5&,')51# .I5",57,35.&)!/_65
Astronomy & Astrophysics,5klg65lm5B,#09gigg8gjknC8
'*&65 865 65865.5&85
BhfgjC855^ 5,#&-5#(5."55
.5BC95& 5.#'5../-5(5
Results, The Messenger65gkk65ho5B,#09gjfl8ihjgC8
#&(/-658585
865.5&865^/./,5'' 5
-,"51#."5 955/,)*(50#sion, in Instrumentation and Methods for
Astrophysics65#(5*,--5B,2#09gjfl8jlkfC
5.&(65 865%(365 865'*&65 865
65865^.&&,5,##&#.35#(5."5
VVV Survey: An Update, BAAA5B)&tin de la Asociacion Argentina de Astro()'#C65hfgj65#(5*,--5B,#09gjfl8lmhmC
'#(65
85865 0()06585865/,.065
865,)'4%#65 8655'#,465865
65865^,)*,5').#)(-5(5
brown dwarfs with the VVV survey,
Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana5B .C65-5#%35',.650#5
,,)65
%#5",.365hfgj65#(5*,--5
B,#09gjfl8fnogC
),#(,65 858:5 #&'65858:5 /''65
85
8:5",(&365858:5'#$(6585
8:5
#&&(/0658:5!(#(#658:5)#--#,65
8:5)%&7 ),0(658:5#0,658:5#-65

858:5/(6585
8:5,)0#-#,65
8:5)/&-)(65
85 8:5 6585BhfgjC8555^#,-.5
)'.,35-,0.#)(-51#."5 95
Ihfgh5l5B'')(C5(5Ihfgh5g5
B C_65#(5,)#(!-5) 5."5jk."5/(,5(5&(.,35#(5)( ,(65

5))&(-652-85 5)(.,#/.#)(5)85gmmm65*8hlfo85
#.)6585865 65865%(365
865(!&)(#65865;5.&(65 85BhfgjC855
^..#)(5) 5."5&.#5)05(#.57hfgh77fg535."5
VVV Survey, The Astronomers Telegram,
ljkh8
#.)6585865%(365 865 65865
.&(65 865;5(!&)(#6585BhfgjC85
^77ffj95."5#((,')-.5()05
candidate in the Galactic bulge, The
Astronomers Telegram65lfhh
%(365 865 65865;5#.)65
8585BhfgjC85^7 7fh955,ge-Amplitude Transient of Unknown
./,5#(5."55/,03_65The Astronomers Telegram65kokj8
5865-()586550,.5358655(.#-58655,)5865
..)(#58655)!!#(.#5865]() ,#)5
8655 ),..#58655,&5
85.5&5BhfgjC85
7(5*").)'.,35) 5gm5 5&/sters A&A5klg65ggg8
),..#5865)!!#(.#585 865-()5865
..)(#5865]() ,#)5 865,#.45
86505
865,&5
865/&(#5865/&&#/-4#%5 865
585.5&5BhfgjC85 5
.5&-955.-5) 5!&2#-5#(5
nearby clusters A&A5klj65gin85
,#.45
865)!!#(.#585 865505865 ),..#5865,&5
865..)(#58655)/"585
865]() ,#)5 8655,--&,5865-()5

865 585.5&5BhfgjC85 75 85+/#0&(.51#."5'-/,ments, spectral properties, and evolution
of local cluster galaxies A&A5kll65ih85
]() ,#)5 865#()(#5865-()5865
..)(#586505865,#.45
865/&&#/-4#%5
865$,!,5865 ),..#5865 )&-5
865 5865)!!#(.#58 865
&(.#(/44#5865,&5
85BhfgjC85/, 5
*").)'.,35) 5 5!&2#-51#."5
5A&A5kmh65nm8
)*-#5865 ,#,,'5865##,)5 8865
585BhfgjC85&235)-')&)!#&5'--5 /(.#)(85A&A5kmh65hm8
ViSitorS
VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF

STATE
(5."50(#(!5) 5
/&35ho65."5)''/nity and staff at the VO headquarters
were honored with the visit of Cardinal
#.,)5,)&#(65.#(5,.,35) 5..85,855*,-(.5."5.#0#.#-5
(5*,)$.-5) 5."5-,0.),35.)5,85
,)&#(5#(5."5/..#5&./,5,))'85
After the presentation, the Secretary of
State visited the meteorite laboratory
and the library and stayed for dinner
1#."5."5)''/(#.385,85,)&#(5
encouraged us to continue with our mission in the service of the Church promo.#(!5#&)!/5.1(5#(5(5#."8
Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin (centre) is shown some of the
old texts housed in the VO Headquarters Library during his recent visit
Br. Guy Consolmagno invites Vatican Secretary of State,

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to view samples of meteorites
through a microscope at the VOs newly refurbished Meteorite Lab
40
Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, holds

one of the VOs collection of meteorites
THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO VISITS THE VATICAN OBSERVATORY IN ARIZONA

(5 ,"5i5."5)''/(#.35(5-.5
of the Vatican Observatory Research
Group in Tucson, Arizona were honored
(50,35*&-5.)51&)'5."5)*]-5
representative to the United States, Ar"#-")*5,&)5 ,#5#!(85
,"#-")*5#!(5'.51#."5."5
-/it astronomers and the technical staff
responsible for the development of the
.#(5.&-)*855&-)50#-#.5."5
.1,5-,0.),35 #,,),55
1",5,) 5/&&5
(/44#65#,.),5) 5."5
.1,5-,0.),365(5,) 85)!,5
(!&5),55.)/,5) 5."5 #&#.#-85
,"#-")*5#!(5$)#(5."5 /&.35) 5
."5.1,5-,0.),35 ),55&/(")(855
(5."50(#(!55,*.#)(5(5#((,5
1,5"&5#(5"#-5")(),85
#-")*5,&5#(-65/."),#.#-5) 5
the University of Arizona, directors of
the Observatories in Southern Arizona,
and benefactors of the Vatican Observa.),35)/(.#)(5$)#(5."5
-/#.5-.,)()',-5)(5."#-5"**35)-#)(85
Apostolic Nuncio to the

United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigan, at VATT with VO
director Fr. Jose Funes
(5"#-5,--5,"#-")*5#!(5*)#(.5)/.95^ (5'(3513-65-515-5",5
from this Observatory, science and technology, when applied correctly, can help
*(5)/,5 #."_8555*)-.)&#5/(#)5
added, we are in a state of constant discovery of the Truth, so ever present and
-)5'/"53)(5)/,-&0-85#-5#-)0,35
,-5/-5(5'%-5/-5-)5 /&&35&#085)15
&--515,5.)55*,.5) 5&&5."#-85 35
your invaluable mission for the Church
and for all humanity continue to prosper
(5,5'/"5 ,/#._855
5 )&&)1#(!535,"#-")*5#!(5
)'*(#535,855(5,85
50#-#.5."55(5."5
5.5."5 )/(.5,"'5 (.,(.#)(&5-,0.),385,85",#-.#(5#&&.65
#,.),5) 5."565-")15."5#'*,--#05!#(.55#(5').#)(8
Archbishop Vigan is given a tour of theSteward Observatory Mirror Lab

by Prof Buell Januzzi, director of the Steward Observatory, and Prof.
Roger Angel
41
Visitors to the Vatican Observatory

headquarters in Castelgndolfo
,#(&5),!5&&65, .5) 5."5.#(5,.,#.5 ),5."5)()'3650#-#.5
."55+/,.,-5)(5*.',5gf8
885 ,85#&#*5/%65'--),5) 5
,).#5.)5."5)&3565885 ,85)(35&$(,)5)*45&'(.65'--),5) 5/5.)5."5)&355&-)5
0#-#.5."5+/,.,-85
/,#(!5."55hfgj65151&)'5
."5 )&&)1#(!5#*&)'.-5.)5."5)&359
885 ,85
/(5&)5,)65'--),5) 5,!(.#(:5 -85("#.5#,/(3(65
#,-.5,.,35) 5,'(#:5885 ,85
)"(5 ,."365'--),5) 5/-.,&#:5885 ,85(#-5)(.-55)/45

#(.)65'--),5) 5,4#&:5885 ,-85
)(#5
#'(455&5
,65'--),5
) 5"#&:5885 ,85,'(55,)(5
/.#,,465'--),5) 5)&)'#:5
885 ,85",5/#,'(65'--),5
) 5 ()(-#:5885 ,85 ,#()5&#)-5
&),65'--),5) 5 2#):5885 ,85
(.(#)5,&)-5,0&")55&'#5
##,)65'--),5) 5),./!&:5885
,-85 $5 ,#$5)0,(#50.%65
'--),5) 5&)0(#:5 -85*"5
#,%,))(1)(!-65#,-.5,.,35) 55
#&(#:5885 ,85((."5,(#-5
%..655'--),5) 5."58885
/,#(!5."55hfgj515&-)5,#05
50#-#.5 ,)'5 )(-85,(()5,!45&zaga, General Secretary of the Governa.),.65(5,5,#55&5,,(5#&&lobos, director of the Technical Services
) 5."5)0,(.),.8
,) --),5
%5#-)'65 5"5(5
extensive stay in Castel Gandolfo from
,"5m575if8
(5(!#(,#(!5*,)!,'5) 5/+/-(5
University paid a visit to the telescopes of
the Observatory at the Summer Aposto&#5&855.)/,51-5)'*(#5355
&./,5)(5#(5(5#."8
A group of 15 nuns visited the Apostolic
&5(55+/,.,-5#(5
/&355-5
*,.5) 5."5 5hfgj5/'',5,)!,'5) 5&#!#)/-5(1&5#(5)'8
The astronomy students attending the
VOSS2014 visited the telescopes at the
/'',5*)-.)&#5&5/,#(!5."5,-.5
1%5) 5."5-"))&5#(5
/(5hfgj8
(55
/(5hj65hj5&#,,#(-5) 50,#)/-5
astronomical institutions visited the
)'-5) 5."5*)-.)&#5/'',5&5
#(5-.&5()& )85351,5*,.5) 5
5)( ,(5#(5*&-5&&65#,,35
(5 ( ),'.#)(5,0#-5#(5-.,)()'35
B 5 C65"&5.5 575-.,)()'#&5-,0.),35) 5*)#')(.65
/(5
gm7hf8
),(4)5*#(65-.,)()',5.55--,0.),#5-.,)-#)5#5,.,#65 65
#,(450#-#.5."5)'-5(55"+/,.,-5)(5/!/-.55hh8
(5.),5gg65,) 85&0.),5*)44#&&)5B/&&5,) --),5#(5-.,)*"3-#-5
.5."5(#0,-#.35^,#)5 _65"3-#-5
*,.'(.65*&-C5*#551),%#(!50#-#.5
.)5 5.5."55"+/,.,-5#(5
-.&5()& )8
(5.),5gf65,) 85&5 ,)..5
B 65*&-5#0#-#)(C5*#550#-#.5.)5
."55"+/,.,-8
.*"(5#,655&&)15.5,"#(!65
,'(3650#-#.5)(55.),5gl8
Tours of the Observatory.
5 5),%#(!5,)/*5)(5&(.,35
3-.'5)'(&./,5'.5.5-.&5
()& )5 ,)'5*,#&5l57o65")-.535
85
5)'*(#5."5 )&&)1#(!5
groups on visits to the Vatican Observatory and the telescopes at Castel Gandolfo:
(5gi5 365-./(.-5 ,)'5."5#(5
,)/*5 ,)'5."5,!),#(5)/(.#)(65
42
#(&/#(!5,85 #"&5#&,.58
8
,)/*5) 55 ,#(-I( .),-65
#(&/#(!5
,,35(((65"#&5(((65
#,,5)3(65#,#5)"#(65 ,%5)"#(65 ,#5#((3
,,#5,--,5B,*,-(..#05) 5(.5
&,5(#0,-#.3C5(5",5"/-(5"#&5
Grasser
,)/*5) 55 ,#(-I( .),-65#(&/#(!5,(-.55)65
(5/(!5)65
0)((5)5
)-)(65#&5,&(5
)-)(65
,!),35)..5
)-)(65 &#(5&#-5
)-)(65 !(5/,(5

)-)(65"3&&#-5 )(#+/5)65&,(5#/5)65($'#(5
,(,5)653(5(#.5)8
,)/*5) 55 ,#(-I( .),-65."5
)3&5 '#&38
),5) 5,/-.-65(.5&,5(#0,-#.385
,)/*5) 55 ,#(-I( .),-65."5
#.4*.,#%5 '#&38
',-5) 5."5),5) 5!(.-65.85
!(.#/-5#!"5"))&65(5,(#-)8
',-5) 5."5/&.35) 5.85 !(.#/-5
)&&!5,*,.),35"))&65"#!)8
5 ,#(-I( .),-65(35(5.",5,"#)&)8
',-5) 5."5 /&.35) 5)3)&5#!"5
"))&65.,)#.8
5!,)/*5) 5hk5)#&-5 ,)'5."5)'(5
,("5) 5,#.-5 (.,(.#)(&#-50#-#.5
the telescopes at the Apostolic Summer
&5)(5.),5h85
5"-5!#0(5-0,&5!/#5
tours to many groups to the domes and
telescopes located on the top of the
*&5&5#(5-.&5()& )85-5
include: students and some professors
,)'5."55
)-*"#(/'53'(-#/'65#(5
#&-"#'65,'(35&535,) 855,85
,(.5./--%5)(5*.',5hi855(5
.),5gl65."5),5'',-5B1")5
,5,-#(.-5) 5."5'#(5 .&#(5(%-C5
) 5."5 5)(-),.#/'5B5)(-),.#/'5
-.&#-"5')(!5."5'#(5 .&#(5
(%-5 ),5(.1),%#(!5,-)(-C5&535
",5,-#(.65,85#&#(5--#5,.#(#8
Other notable visitors to the VO headquarters in Castel Gandolfo:
#-")*5 ,&&)5',,)5) 5&()
.,#%5(5,-5#&-(53(65),5
))%),5) 5,/-.-65(.5&,5(#0,-#.3
),5) 55*&5)/(.#)(
B-.,)()',C5.5-5/',-5-,0.),35&)&5&-)*5.1),%5"quarters in Goleta, California, to discuss

robotic telescope network design, sche/&#(!65)*,.#)(5(5'#(.((8
50#-#.55
)"(-)(5*5
(.,5#(5)/-.)(55 ,)'5.),5
13-24 to perform density and porosity
measurements on Apollo moon rocks
(5&/(,5(5',.#(5'.),#.-855
"#&5.",65"52*,#'(.51#."5/-#(!5
a laser scanner for measuring bulk volu'-5) 5'))(5,)%-8551-5")-.535
3(5#!&,5(50#(5#!".,65/,tors of the Apollo collection and the
Antarctic meteorite collection, respecti0&385
/,*(5*5!(35^*.1*-_5
group
#&&,5&(4/&657"#&8
Other notable visitors to the VORG in Tucson, Arizona include:
Richard Gray from Appalachian State
(#0,-#.3658
Visits to scientific institutions and universities
5*#5(5)0,(#!".50#-#.5)(5
,"5hn5.)5."5h8j7'5.&-)*5) 5."5
!&(5#!5-,0.),36515
2#)5 (-.#./.5) 5 #(#(!5(5"()&)!365.5."5#(0#..#)(5) 5,85#&(5
3(5B#,.),C8551-5")-.535,85
#&&#'53(8
(5/!/-.5go6550#-#.5."5
"+/,.,-5) 5,)$.) .5#(5,
,&)0654"5*/&#65(5."5-.,)()'#&5 (-.#./.5) 5."54"5'35
) 5#(-5#(5(,$)08
(5.),5hn7ho6565
5(5 5'.51#."5)5
),)-)(5B#,.),C65,#5/(,-5
B5) 5) .1,C65,#(51),."5
B3-.'5'#(#-.,.),C65((5$&-.,)'5
B "(#&5(!#(,C5(5#'5#-.,5
Br. Macke during his visit to NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston,TX
43

Vatican Observatory Annual Report 2014

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Vatican Observatory Annual Report 2014

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

ANNUAL REPORT 2014

Vatican Observatory Publications

Vatican Observatory Staff

5 )&&)1#(!5,5*,'((.5-.5'',-5) 5."5.#(5-,0.),365)(.#&5#&&-5) 5-.&5

Vice Director for Administration

R5 585 658

President, Vatican Observatory Foundation

President of the National Committee to International

R5  5  658

R5 5 658

R5 585  658

Coordinator for Science, Philosophy

R5 5  5

Editor: Emer McCarthy

Printed by: TipografiaVaticana

VATT robotization.5(5 ,"5n655hfgj65

benefactors who, with their generous

Fr. Jos G. Funes, S.J. Director of Vatican Observatory

one Specola, one team

Fr. Jzef M. Maj, S.J. Vice-Director

such as the conference hall, guest rooms

Mr. Romano Reggio

pentry and gardening requirements at

Mr. Federico Balzoni

has undertaken to build a new up-todate user friendly VO website from

of the Vatican Observatory, Fr. Paul

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

Mr. Robert L. Peterson

Mr. Antonio Coretti

Ms. Gina Savinetti

Kenneth Duffek55#-55!,/.5#(5 "(#&5(5&.,#&5(!#(,#(!85

Mr. Kenneth Duffek

Mr. Michael Franz

Gary Gray worked for 33 years at the

Mr. Chris Johnson

Mr. Gary Gray

Scott Swindell graduated in 2007 with a

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

to be expert in astronomy, but also in

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

VOSS student Titania Virginiflosia greets His Holiness Pope Francis

'',-5) 5)/,5-.8,85 ,."35"5

perties using the Vatican meteorite col&.#)(5#(5)/,5 #&#.35.5-.&5()& )855

Thus, while Vesta is not the intact pro.)*&(.5.".5."51(5.'5")*5.)5

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

5)(.#(/-5.)5-./35."5(-#ty of lunar materials, including Apollo

NEO 2011SQ104 observed with VATT on April 17, 2013 at 07:02:05.935

Lightcurve of NEO 2011SQ104 showing a spinning rate of 6.85+/- 0.03 h and an

The three telescopes will be part of the

NEO 2014FA44 observed with VATT on May 2, 2014 at 04:46:34.773 UTC

These results were presented in November

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

Gray, R.O., and CORBALLY, C.J. 2014,

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

Stellar Observations: Over a period of

for the zero-point Chupina experiment

The CMD diagram of the globular cluster

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

There are three aspects in the above the),.#&5,-,"5#(51"#"55#-5

log10 g vs. log10Teff

A Cosmic End: Attracted by curiosity

Emotional Brains: As an extension of

Vatican Observatory - Annual Report 2014

5 )&&)1#(!5,5*,'((.5-.5'',-5) 5."5.#(5-,0.),365)(.#&5#&&-5) 5-.&5

R5 585658

R5 5 658

R5 5 658

R5585 658

R55 5

VATT robotization.5(5 ,"5n655hfgj65

Kenneth Duffek55#-55!,/.5#(5 "(#&5(5&.,#&5(!#(,#(!85

'',-5) 5)/,5-.8,85 ,."35"5

perties using the Vatican meteorite col&.#)(5#(5)/,5 #&#.35.5-.&5()& )855

Thus, while Vesta is not the intact pro.)&(.5.".5."51(5.'5")5.)5

5)(.#(/-5.)5-./35."5(-#ty of lunar materials, including Apollo

There are three aspects in the above the),.#&5,-,"5#(51"#"55#-5

Keeping track of it all:5.",5#()5

-'&35) 5 5#(5*.',651,5

-/#.5*,)0#(5) 5)5B (#C65"-5(5

-5) 55/!/-.5g65 5#-5."5/,.),5

5!055,5.#.&5^& fending mechanisms of science at the

865.,#3-65865(0##/-65865/!&3-65

))(5'."-85The Tablet,5hln65 ,"5hh65

'(.-85Lunar Planet. Sci.565-.,.5

5(!&#-6585 65865 ,)..65

,%5(5#(5."5gkm5 #&&#)(5.,5/&!5)&),7 !(#./5#!,'_65hfgj65

8:5'#(#%65858:5'*&658:5#&!)65858:5 .658:5

8:5#&&#'-658:5/65 8:55

-.&&,5&/-.,55fil_65Astronomical Journal65gjm65gn8

8:5)%&7 ),0(658:5#0,658:5#-65

B C_65#(5,)#(!-5) 5."5jk."5/(,5(5&(.,35#(5)( ,(65

865]() ,#)5 8655,--&,5865-()5

)"(5 ,."365'--),5) 5/-.,&#:5885 ,85(#-5)(.-55)/45

(5gi5 365-./(.-5 ,)'5."5#(5

)-)(65 !(5/,(5

B-.,)()',C5.5-5/',-5-,0.),35&)&5&-)*5.1),%5"quarters in Goleta, California, to discuss