The Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana) is the astronomical research and educational institution of the Holy See. The headquarters of the observatory are located at Castelgandolfo, Italy, sharing the summer residence of the Pope. The dependent Vatican Observatory Research Group is hosted in the Steward Observatory, at the University of Arizona, Castel Gandolfo is a small Italian town, about 30km south-east of Rome, mostly known because it is the summer residence of the Italian) is a 17th century building designed by Carlo Maderno for Pope Urban VII. Castel Gandolfo is also known for its lake (Lago Albano). ... The Pope is the Catholic Bishop and patriarch of Rome, and head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches. ... Steward Observatorys main office is located on the University of Arizona campus. ... The University of Arizona is an institution of higher learning located in Tucson, Arizona. ...

The Observatory operates a 1.8 metre telescope atop Mount Graham, which together with its associated research facility is know as VATT (Vatican Advance Technology Telescope), whose mirror was the first one constructed at the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab. 50 cm refracting telescope at Nice Observatory. ... Mount Graham is a mountain in southeastern Arizona in the United States. ...

History

The official astronomical observatory of the Vatican, in Latin Osservatorio Pontificio, Father Angelo Secchi relocated the observatory to the top of the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome. Pietro Angelo Secchi (1818–1878) was an Italian astronomer. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  1290 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,546,807 almost 4,000,000 1...

To generations of Romans, the Vatican Observatory provided the time of day, but under Father Secchi the Observatory was a source of great contributions to astronomy during the latter half of the 19th century. In particular, Father Secchi was fascinated by the study of the sun. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... A sun is the star at the center of a planetary system. ...

After the death of Father Secchi in 1878, his successor was removed from the Observatory, and its name was changed to Regio Osservatorio al Collegio Roman, or Royal Observatory at the Roman College. The Observatory remained in operation until 1923. The office of Vatican Astronomer, however, continues. 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1923 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Vatican Observatory
• Home page for Vatican Observatory