In the current debate over science and religion, we tend to overlook the fact that not all religious traditions are anti-scientific. People are often surprised to hear that the Vatican supports an astronomical observatory, yet the Vatican Observatory is one of the oldest astronomical institutes in the world, with its beginnings dating back to the reform of the calendar in 1582. Astronomy was one of the core subjects (along with arithmetic, geometry, and music) in the great medieval universities, taught by the Jesuits. Following the tradition of his order, Jesuit brother and working astronomer Guy Consolmagno considers himself to be a "missionary of science;" his mission: to undo the false assumption that the Church remains hostile to science. Blending memoir, science, history, and theology, Consolmagno takes us on a grand adventure. We revisit the infamous "Galileo affair" and see that it didn't unfold in quite the way we thought. We tour the Vatican's extensive meteorite collection and learn how astronomy progresses despite its dearth of tactile evidence. We get a rare glimpse into the world of working scientists and see how scientific discoveries are proposed and advanced (it hasn't changed much since Galileo's time). We learn the inside story of the "Mars meteorite": how can we be sure it's really from Mars, and why can't scientists agree on whether or not it contains evidence of life? With Consolmagno as our guide we travel to Japan and see how geology informs planetary science; we go to Africa and witness mankind's innate curiosity about the heavens, even in the midst of desperate poverty; and we hunt for meteorites in Antartica. Most importantly, we see how science and religion can come together in one individual, and by extension, how they both are needed to answer the big questions. What would it mean to us if we did find life elsewhere in the universe? How did the world begin, and why does it follow natural laws? "Science and Religion have an intimate tie," Brother Guy writes, "Without faith in a Creator God, one who looks at His universe and declares it Good, how can you justify the belief that this universe is worth studying; indeed, that the universe even makes enough sense to be able to be studied?"

Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist

Religion & Spirituality

Consolmagno, Guy

Religious Studies

McGraw=Hill

“[A] brilliant defense of science’s place in the religious life (and vice versa).”—Publisher’s Weekly Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno’s moving and intellectually playful memoir of a life lived in the active interplay of science and religion is now available in a handsome paperback edition. Blending memoir, science, history, and theology, Consolmagno takes us on a grand adventure. We revisit the infamous “Galileo affair” and see that it didn’t unfold in quite the way we thought. We get a rare glimpse into the world of working scientists and see how scientific discoveries are proposed and advanced. We learn the inside story of the “Mars meteorite”: how can we be sure it’s really from Mars, and why can’t scientists agree on whether or not it contains evidence of life? Brother Astronomer memorably sets forth one scientist’s conviction that the universe may be worth studying only if it is the work of a Creator

Biographies & Memoirs

Professionals & Academics

Designed to be accessible to those with a strong general (not professional) interest in planetary science, this volume explores the various aspects of the solar system planet by planet. Along the way, it illustrates by example how science is “done,” and constantly goes beyond the issue of merely “What do we know,” to ask such questions as “What motivates our questions?" and "How do we go about finding the answers?" Begins each chapter with a purely descriptive section about a planet; then includes two sections on topics that are related to the planet in question (e.g., atmospheric chemistry and Venus; the generation of magnetic fields and Jupiter). Later chapters consider more difficult topic such as planetary satellites, comets and the solar wind, and the origin of the solar system. Confines the use of integral calculus and most derivations to separate boxes, and reviews basic concepts of physics and chemistry, in boxes, as necessary. For undergraduate students and general readers interested in planetary science.

Worlds Apart: A Textbook in Planetary Sciences

Science & Math

Schaefer, Martha

Astronomy & Space Science

Pearson

Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them

A superb guidebook described in Bookwatch as 'the home astronomer's "bible"', Turn Left at Orion provides all the information beginning amateur astronomers need to observe the Moon, the planets and a whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter with ten new spreads describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also discusses Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the Internet as aids for planning an observing session. Also new to this edition are redrawn "Guidepost" figures at the beginning of each season chapter that allow readers to visualize a three-dimensional view of the sky's dome; redesigned seasonal object layouts that provide more space for the naked-eye charts; a new spread on double stars near Boötes has been added to Spring, replacing the "Shrinking Double" spread; and a unique "When and Where to Look" table has been added to the last page, among other new features. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy to use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed.

Davis, Dan M.

Cambridge University Press

With over 100,000 copies sold since first publication, this is one of the most popular astronomy books of all time. It is a unique guidebook to the night sky, providing all the information you need to observe a whole host of celestial objects. With a new spiral binding, this edition is even easier to use outdoors at the telescope and is the ideal beginner's book. Keeping its distinct one-object-per-spread format, this edition is also designed for Dobsonian telescopes, as well as for smaller reflectors and refractors, and covers Southern hemisphere objects in more detail. Large-format eyepiece views, positioned side-by-side, show objects exactly as they are seen through a telescope, and with improved directions, updated tables of astronomical information and an expanded night-by-night Moon section, it has never been easier to explore the night sky on your own. Many additional resources are available on the accompanying website, www.cambridge.org/turnleft.

Turn Left at Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope – and How to Find Them

Provides information on observing the sky with a small telescope throughout the year

Turn left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them

A superb guidebook described in Bookwatch as 'the home astronomer's "bible"', Turn Left at Orion provides all the information beginning amateur astronomers need to observe the Moon, the planets and a whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter with ten new spreads describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also discusses Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the Internet as aids for planning an observing session. Also new to this edition are redrawn "Guidepost" figures at the beginning of each season chapter that allow readers to visualize a three-dimensional view of the sky's dome; redesigned seasonal object layouts that provide more space for the naked-eye charts; a new spread on double stars near Boötes has been added to Spring, replacing the "Shrinking Double" spread; and a unique "When and Where to Look" table has been added to the last page, among other new features. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy to use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed.

In God's Mechanics, Brother Guy tells the stories of those who identify with the scientific mindset—so-called "techies"—while practicing religion. A full fledged techie himself, he relates some classic philosophical reflections, his interviews with dozens of fellow techies, and his own personal take on his Catholic beliefs to provide, like a set of "worked out sample problems," the hard data on the challenges and joys of embracing a life of faith as a techie. And he also gives a roadmap of the traps that can befall an unwary techie believer. 
With lively prose and wry humor, Brother Guy shows how he not only believes in God but gives religion an honored place alongside science in his life. This book offers an engaging look at how—and why—scientists and those with technological leanings can hold profound, "unprovable" religious beliefs while working in highly empirical fields. Through his own experience and interviews with other scientists and engineers who profess faith, Brother Guy explores how religious beliefs and practices make sense to those who are deeply rooted in the world of technology.

God's Mechanics: How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of Religion

Jossey-Bass

With over 150,000 copies sold since its first publication, this is one of the most popular astronomy books of all time. This unique guidebook to the night sky shows you how to observe a host of celestial wonders. Its distinct format of object-by-object spreads illustrates how deep-sky objects and planets actually look through a small telescope, while its large pages and spiral binding allow for use outside. Along with updated star names and astronomical information, this new edition provides links to a dedicated webpage with up-to-date tables and images, and an improved planets chapter. The many Dobsonian-friendly images and small telescope views have been revised to account for changes in modern telescope technology, such as larger field of view eyepieces. With dedicated chapters on Northern and Southern Hemisphere objects, it's never been easier to explore the night sky, wherever you are. Additional resources are available on the accompanying website: www.cambridge.org/turnleft.

Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them

God's Mechanics

John Wiley&Sons

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Consolmagno, Guy. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Consolmagno, Guy

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Consolmagno, Guy. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist

Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist

Worlds Apart: A Textbook in Planetary Sciences

Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them

Turn Left at Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope – and How to Find Them

Turn left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them

Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them

God's Mechanics: How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of Religion

Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them

God's Mechanics