Skip to content

Summer School at Vatican Observatory Offers Unique Opportunity for Young Scientists

The Vatican Observatory’s summer school, known as “Specola,” has already selected students for its next edition.

The Vatican Observatory’s summer school, known as “Specola,” has already selected students for its next edition.

During the month of June, 25 students who were selected from among 120 candidates from different countries around the world will have the opportunity to advance their education at this renowned institution of the Catholic Church located in Castel Gandolfo on the outskirts of Rome.

The director of the “Specola,” Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, explained to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, that all of the students “are between 20 and 30 years old and plan to pursue doctorates in astronomy or astrophysics.”

He also noted that “the only limit is that no more than two students from the same country are chosen.” This year’s lucky winners are 25 students from 21 countries on several continents: two from Africa, two from Asia, 11 from Europe and North America, eight from Latin America, and two from Oceania.

Since 1986, the Vatican Observatory has organized this summer school at Castel Gandolfo every two years to offer young scientists from all over the world the opportunity to learn from the world’s leading experts in astronomy.

Alumni of this school are now leading many fields of astronomical research, such as notables Fernando Comeron, deputy director for science at the European Southern Observatory, and Heino Falcke, chair of the Scientific Council of the Event Horizon Telescope, which captured the first image of a black hole in 2001.

In addition, students in this year’s course will have access to the James Webb telescope, which has revolutionized astronomy through advanced research. The 2025 summer school will offer a global overview of the main achievements made possible by this telescope in its first three years of operation.

Professors at the summer school include Eiichi Egami of the University of Arizona; Consolmagno; Jesuit Father David Brown, the dean of the Vatican Observatory; Roberto Maiolino of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom; former student Almudena Alonso-Herrero from the Center for Astrobiology; and Thomas Greene from NASA.

Consolmagno confirmed to ACI Prensa that “there are no religious requirements to participate in the school.”

Furthermore, the selection process is not related to the student’s financial situation, as no tuition is charged and additional financial support for travel and accommodation is provided by benefactors through the Vatican Observatory Foundation.

This is the 19th Specola Vaticana summer school. Since the first edition in 1986, more than 450 students have participated in these summer schools.

In addition to the Specola at Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, located on Mount Graham in southeast Arizona, is operated by the Vatican Observatory Research Group in collaboration with the University of Arizona. 

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Leo XIV to Amazon bishops: Nature is not to be worshipped but exists to praise God

Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to the bishops of the Amazon region participating in a meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, this week, reminding them of the importance of caring for nature without becoming slaves or worshippers of it.

Pope Francis Baptizes Ukrainian Child at the Vatican

On Monday, November 6, Pope Francis baptized Zakhariy, a 3-month-old Ukrainian baby, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican.

Diocese of Charlotte Will Restrict Latin Mass in Line With Pope Francis’ Directive

Starting on July 8, no parish churches will be permitted to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese, Bishop Martin said.

The Eucharist without Borders

“Take; this is my body” - Mark 14:22

Vatican News: Pope Francis Urges Ethical Use of AI and Holy Week Preview at the Vatican

Welcome to this week’s Vaticano Update, where we bring you the latest news from Pope Francis and the

What Happens at a Wednesday General Audience?

The history and behind the scenes of a beloved Vatican tradition

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit