Pope’s astronomer comes to Palmer

PALMER — The Pope’s astronomer came to Palmer on Monday afternoon.

Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, Ph.D, is the Director at the Vatican Observatory in Rome with the Pontifical Academy of Scientists. He came to Alaska because of an affiliation with Alaska Pacific University. He came to Palmer because of an old college friend.

Consolmagno went to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) with the boss of the Palmer Tsunami Center, Paul Huang.

In a packed conference room with at least 75 folks jammed into the small space, people leaned against the counters and sat on the floor and filing cabinets. Brother Guy is a good, snappy speaker and talks with his hands. The presentation was titled the “Discarded World: Astronomical Ideas that Were Almost Correct.”

Brother Consolmagno discussed the moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, Carl Sagan, C.S. Lewis, Galileo, Schiaparelli, along with various theories and revelations. He is passionate about his work, and he explained deep science in terms even a lay person could understand. He explained how he lived outside Rome in Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence and also home to the Vatican Observatory.

Why does the Pope have an astronomer, you might ask?

The answer became clear as he explained the role of science interacting with religion. Overarching questions like,“Why Do We Exist?” or “What is the Meaning of Life?” can’t be answered by faith alone.

Science and religion are natural bedfellows and can enhance understanding of our universe, Consolmagno told the audience. He also explained that Catholics value science and there is no religious war against the scientific method, which values questioning.

A large handful of children sat on the floor during the presentation. At one point they asked questions: Why are stars in the sky? How is a star made? and How do you know so much about space?

These were good questions. Consolmagno listened and answered with gentle clarity. It’s up to you to ponder and think. Look outside, have conversations, be curious and think of possibilities.

Earlier in the day, the Tsunami Center had just rolled through a 5.3 earthquake with an epicenter in Valdez.

Fresh from the jolting event, Chris Popham explained the functions of the center. Large computer screens showed readings and locations of sensors and seismometers. But all the interest in nerdy quake info dissipated when the Pope’s Astronomer walked into the room and started talking about the interiors of the icy moons of Jupiter.

Consolmagno is featured in TED talks and has written “Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?” and “The Universe is Like Capuchin” and “Turn Left ding Anat Orion.” His Ph.D is from the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. He did his postdoctorate research at Harvard University and taught there as well.

He served in the US Peace Corps and took vows as a Jesuit brother in 1991.

He has been a curator of major world Meteorite collections.

He is also scheduled to present at St. Patrick’s Church in Anchorage on Tuesday night.