The world-renowed astronomer Br Guy Consolmagno SJ will give a talk titled "The Galileo Wars" in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. The lecture will be held on Thursday, 26th March 2009 at 8pm and admission is free.
Br Guy's talk will explore how science is always shaped by what is happening in the broader society that supports it, and the science of the 17th century was no different. His lecture will examine how Galileo's work challenged the science of the day; how it was shaped by the fortunes of the Spanish during the 30 Years War; and the effect on science in the Catholic world after his famous trial.
Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ has been at the Vatican Observatory since 1993. His research explores connections between meteorites, asteroids, and the evolution of small solar system bodies, observing Kuiper Belt comets with
the Vatican's 1.8 meter telescope in Arizona, and acting as curator of the Vatican meteorite collection. Along with more than 100 scientific publications, he is the author of a number of books including Turn Left at Orion (with Dan Davis) and Brother Astronomer.
For further details email John Flannery, Chairperson South Dublin Astronomical Society, or phone 086-8181931