Vatican Astronomer Guy Consolmagno (RPCV Kenya) talks about the International Astronomical Union's recent decision to demote Pluto from planet to dwarf planet status



"I thought, why should I do this research in astronomy when there are people out there starving in the world?" he said. "So I quit my job, joined the Peace Corps, went to Kenya -- and the Africans asked me to teach astronomy." He said he realized it would be wrong to tamp down the desire to know how humans fit into the universe that his field stimulates. "That's when I finally understood," he said. "Astronomy is what makes us human rather than well-fed cows."

Vatican Astronomer Guy Consolmagno (RPCV Kenya) talks about the International Astronomical Union's recent decision to demote Pluto from planet to dwarf planet status

WHERE SCIENCE AND RELIGION MEET: Crowds drawn to astronomer

Cranbrook talks reflect his passions

October 2, 2006

BY SHARON GITTLEMAN

FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

When Guy Consolmagno was growing up in Birmingham in the 1960s, he'd ride his bike to the Cranbrook Institute of Science on summer afternoons to soak up everything he could about the natural world.

Today, Consolmagno spends his time exploring the universe at the Vatican Observatory at the pope's summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.

But he hasn't forgotten the place where he first fell in love with science. Over the years, he's returned to the Bloomfield Hills institute many times to lecture.

On Sunday, he spoke there about the International Astronomical Union's recent decision to demote Pluto from planet to dwarf planet status. Astronomers argued that because of its size and other factors, Pluto should not be called a planet. As a member of the group, Consolmagno voted in agreement that it should be called a dwarf planet.

Farmington Hills resident Regina Kramer, 66, was one of nearly 200 people who packed the auditorium where Consolmagno lectured.

She said astronomy is exciting because of discoveries like the change in Pluto's status.

"We find out new things all the time," she said. "It's limitless what we can learn."

Before he became a Jesuit brother in 1989, Consolmagno, 54, worked as a physics and astronomy professor at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., and as a reporter for the County Press in Lapeer.

He reconfirmed the scientific half of his calling in 1983.

"I thought, why should I do this research in astronomy when there are people out there starving in the world?" he said. "So I quit my job, joined the Peace Corps, went to Kenya -- and the Africans asked me to teach astronomy."

He said he realized it would be wrong to tamp down the desire to know how humans fit into the universe that his field stimulates.

"That's when I finally understood," he said. "Astronomy is what makes us human rather than well-fed cows."

Becoming a Jesuit brother satisfied his spiritual longings.

"This would be the way I could do everything I love to do, but to do it for God, not myself," he said.

Consolmagno often draws a mixed crowd for his lectures. Cranbrook Science Institute Director Michael Stafford said science hobbyists are attracted to Consolmagno's reputation as a respected astronomer. Others are interested in the Vatican and the tension some see between religion and secular learning.

"They will want to see how a man of faith like Brother Guy spins the tale of hardcore science," he said.

"We have never had Brother Guy come where we wouldn't have to cut off questions because we'd be there all day."

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: October, 2006; COS - Kenya; Religion; Catholicism; Astronomy; Science

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