Exquisite Book of the Church's Study of the Stars & Heavens

This review is much delayed as it has taken me quite a while to get through this dense, extensive and incredibly beautiful book detailing the Vatican's study of astronomy. The Heavens Proclaim: Astronomy and the Vatican, edited by Guy Consolmagno, S.J. is an exquisite book overflowing with eye-catching images of stars and our universe, detailed history, and inspiring scripture. The book contains enough information to be considered a textbook, but many chapters read very easily while others require you to read much more slowly to absorb all the vast details. The basis of the book is to detail the history and discoveries of Specola Vaticana, the Vatican Observatory, revealing the Church's encouragement of astronomical research as both a study of our universe and a way to become closer to God. The first chapter itself is worth owning the book as it is contains a wealth of amazing images and scripture relating to the stars and the heavens. The book then details the formation of calendars based on astronomy, including a large sub-chapter on Galileo. The story of Specola Vaticana including its creation and relocation follows. subsequently there are chapters and sub-chapters on all aspects of our universe: planets, meteorites, meteors and the philosophical study of our universe. There is also a wonderful review of the influence of numerous Pope's on the Specola Vaticana. Finally there is a question and answer chapter with many curious questions involving our universe of the study of it. This book is a treasure for any home as a book to read in detail or leisurely peruse the pictures and captions alone with highlighted text is a captivating read.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Heavens Proclaim: Astronomy and the Vatican.