George Coyne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Rev. Dr.
George Coyne
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| Born |
George Vincent Coyne
January 19, 1933 |
| Died | February 11, 2020 (aged 87) |
| Alma mater | Fordham University (B.S.) Georgetown University (Ph.D.) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrophysics |
| Institutions | Vatican Observatory |
George Vincent Coyne (January 19, 1933 – February 11, 2020) was an American Jesuit priest and astronomer. He led the Vatican Observatory and its research team at the University of Arizona for many years, from 1978 to 2006. Later in his life, he taught at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. Father Coyne spent his career working to show that faith and science can exist together. He strongly believed that the Bible is not a science textbook. He once said, "Scripture is made up of myth, of poetry, of history. But it is simply not teaching science."
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Coyne was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 19, 1933. He was the third of eight children in his family. After attending Loyola High School on a scholarship, he joined the Jesuit order in 1951.
He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Fordham University in 1958. In 1962, he received his doctorate in astronomy from Georgetown University. For his doctorate, he studied the Moon's surface using a method called spectrophotometry. This method looks at how light is absorbed or reflected.
Father Coyne continued his research at several universities. He worked at Harvard University in 1963 and was a visiting professor at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (UA LPL) in 1965. He became a priest in 1966 after studying sacred theology at Woodstock College. He also spent time as a visiting astronomer at the Vatican Observatory in 1967-68.
Leading the Vatican Observatory
George Coyne joined the Vatican Observatory as an astronomer in 1969. He also became a professor at the UA LPL. In 1978, Pope John Paul I chose him to be the Director of the Vatican Observatory. He also became an Associate Director at the UA Steward Observatory.
As director, Father Coyne started many new programs for education and research. He brought in young astronomers from all over the world. He also created a program that allowed women to join the research team. Women made up almost half of the students in the special summer school he started for astronomy students.
He also organized important conferences. One conference, called "God's Action in the Universe," brought together scientists and theologians. One of his successors said that Father Coyne only asked his team to do "good science." He created a place where everyone felt free to explore science.
In 2002, he co-wrote a book called Wayfarers in the Cosmos: The Human Quest for Meaning. He also became a public expert on how science and Catholicism can relate.
Science and Faith Discussions
Father Coyne was open to the idea of extraterrestrial life (life beyond Earth). He believed that Christianity could accept such a discovery. He also spoke out about the Church's slow acceptance of its mistake in the prosecution of Galileo centuries ago.
He strongly believed that the scientific idea of evolution, including its random nature, fits with Catholic teachings. In 2005, he disagreed with a cardinal who seemed to question this view. Father Coyne wrote that religious believers should not think of God as a "dictator God" or a "designer God." He suggested that God continuously creates a world that allows for freedom and complexity through evolution. He said God is not always stepping in, but rather "allows, participates, loves."
He also stated that "Intelligent design isn't science." He believed that if "intelligent design" was taught in schools, it should be part of religion or history classes, not science.
From 2007 to 2011, Father Coyne led the Vatican Observatory Foundation.
Scientific Discoveries
Father Coyne's research focused on studying light polarization. This involves looking at how light waves vibrate. He used this to study cosmic dust and special radiation in galaxies. He also studied Seyfert galaxies, which are spiral galaxies with very bright centers.
Later in his career, he studied cataclysmic variable stars. These are star systems that suddenly release huge bursts of energy. He also studied dust around young stars. An asteroid was named after him, called 14429 Coyne.
Father Coyne was an active member of many important scientific groups. These included the International Astronomical Union and the American Astronomical Society. In 1985, he helped create the International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics (ICRA). This center helps astrophysicists from around the world work together and share ideas.
Later Years and Legacy
Father Coyne's time as Director of the Vatican Observatory ended in 2006. He was 73 years old at the time.
In his retirement, Father Coyne continued to discuss how faith and science can go together. He believed that Christians should not have problems accepting scientific ideas like the multiverse (many universes), the Big Bang (how the universe began), and evolution. In 2008, he co-authored a book called Comprehensible Universe: The Interplay of Science and Theology.
In a 2008 film, he explained that ancient religious texts were written long before modern science existed. Because of this, he said, these texts do not contain science and should not be taught as science.
In 2015, Father Coyne praised Pope Francis for talking about protecting the environment and addressing climate change. He felt that the Pope's message could start an important discussion between science and religion.
George Coyne passed away from bladder cancer on February 11, 2020, at the age of 87.
Awards and Honors
Father Coyne received many awards for his work.
- In 2009, Le Moyne College gave him an honorary doctorate. This was to recognize his efforts to bring together philosophy, theology, and science.
- In 2008, Villanova University awarded him the Mendel Medal. This award honors scientists who show that true science and true religion do not conflict.
- In 2010, he received the George Van Biesbroeck Prize from the American Astronomical Society.
He also received honorary degrees from several other universities, including Loyola University Chicago and the University of Padua.
Select Writings
The Vatican Observatory Foundation has some of Father Coyne's writings and videos available online.
- Author
- Coyne, George V., S.J. (2013). "A Theology of Everything". European Review 21 (S1): S20–S26. doi:10.1017/S1062798713000094.
- "In the Beginning....". Science & Spirit 17 (6): 24–27. 2006. doi:10.3200/SSPT.17.6.24-27.
- Coyne, George V., S.J. (2012). "Review of: Defending Copernicus and Galileo: Critical Reasoning in the Two Affairs". Catholic Historical Review 98 (2): 380–381. doi:10.1353/cat.2012.0126.
- "Evolution and Intelligent Design: What Is Science and What Is Not". Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia 66 (4): 717–720. 2010.
- Galileo's telescopic observations: the marvel and meaning of discovery. Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. 6. 2010. pp. 3–6.
- Coyne, George V., S.J. (2013). "Science Meets Biblical Exegesis in the Galileo Affair". Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science 48 (1): 221–229. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9744.2012.01324.x.
- Coyne, George V. (2009). "Talking about and teaching evolution". Developmental Biology 331 (2): 402. doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.05.063.
- Coyne, George V. (1999). "The church's route to enlightenment". Nature 402 (6762): 579. doi:10.1038/45070.
- "The Evolution Debate". Physics Teacher: 6–7. January 2008.
- Co-author
- George Coyne; Alessandro Omizzolo (2002). Wayfarers in the Cosmos: The Human Quest for Meaning. Herder & Herder. Bibcode 2002wchq.book.....C,
- George Coyne; Michael Heller (2008). A Comprehensible Universe: The Interplay of Science and Theology. Springer. ISBN 978-3540776246,
- Farber, Steven A.; Darnell, Diana K.; Coyne, George V. (2009). "Talking about science/evolution to a fellow bus rider". Developmental Biology 331 (2): 402. doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.05.064,
See also
In Spanish: George Coyne para niños
- Evolution and the Roman Catholic Church
- List of Jesuit scientists
- List of Roman Catholic scientist-clerics
