Br. Robert Macke SJ
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brbobmackesj.bsky.social
Br. Robert Macke SJ
@brbobmackesj.bsky.social
1.3K followers 44 following 310 posts
Planetary Scientist/Maker/Meteorite Curator at Vatican Observatory DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily represent the Vatican Observatory, the Jesuits, the Vatican, or the Catholic Church.
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Ate at a restaurant I haven't been to in quite some time (half a year or more). The waitress started writing down my order before I even said anything. Am I predictable or what?
I still think of him as Chekov. 😀(Babylon5 fans will catch the reference)
Reposted by Br. Robert Macke SJ
#PPOD: The official names of asteroid 52246 Donaldjohanson’s surface features — as identified by the Southwest Research Institute-led Lucy Mission — have been approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Credit: NASA/SwRI/Goddard/JHUAPL 🧪 🔭
Temporal context can affect interpretation of literature. Take for example William Gibson’s Neuromancer (1984): “The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.”
It simplifies the physics when you assume a homogeneous spherical bird.
In other interesting literary references, Jules Verne includes the works of Fr. Angelo Secchi SJ among the great scientists in the library of Captain Nemo aboard the Nautilus in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Reposted by Br. Robert Macke SJ
People have been cutting and pasting that post for 5 years 😄
It is a 3d scanner. However it arrived before the computer that I need to control it, so for now it’s just a nice benchtop ornament
New toy (um, I mean valuable scientific instrument) in the lab.
Totally didn't expect to take this photo today.
“Peace in our time”. Just remember that.
No worries. I’m just finding it amusing is all. I am looking forward to reading the draft
Thank you for sending it to me on the first day of my vacation. 😁
When I think “the most arrogant astrophysicists “ there is really only one person I’ve met who comes to mind. And I know many astrophysicists, including a few Nobel laureates. (BTW you can guess who the one is. No points if you got NdGT on the first try)
We have the best numbers. Like eleventeen and one brazilian. Nobody makes better numbers than me.
I watch a fair amount of YouTube and so get inundated with YouTube ads. Today I just got an ad for the meteorites at the natural history museum at Abu Dhabi. Ludovic Ferriere, this is your fault! :)
The worst is when the other person fails to recognize that the door is being held for them, and they take their sweet time to approach. Maybe stop to check their messages first.
Reposted by Br. Robert Macke SJ
In its current issue, the NEW YORKER profiles the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Brother Guy Consolmagno.

Quoted: sage editor @pnh.nielsenhayden.com.

Mentioned: Emperor Domitian, @brbobmackesj.bsky.social, various Popes.

🔭🧪
Rebecca Mead visits the Vatican Observatory and spends time with the Pope’s astronomer, Guy Consolmagno, who oversees a team of scientists employed by the Holy See.
The Vatican Observatory Looks to the Heavens
It’s run by a Michigan-born Jesuit—and a meteorite expert—known as the Pope’s Astronomer.
www.newyorker.com
And good odds that you're a war hero too.
And there is always live coverage no matter how esoteric the story or event.
Hello, I'm a scientist in a film. I will run one lab test, the results of which immediately appear in full 3D on my holographic display (complete with sound effects). I will take one glance at it and make a groundbreaking discovery. All before coffee.
Hello, I'm an author in a film. I will be seen doing anything but writing a book, because typing is boring. Then I will have a 30-second montage of clicking away at a keyboard, I will hand a ream of paper to my editor who will declare it to be genius and a week later I will be atop the NYT list.
Hello, I'm an attorney in a film. I have a pure and perfect knowledge of every area of practice in every jurisdiction. Nevertheless, I will be corrected by a plucky law school grad who just passed the bar. After some stubborn resistance, I will silently nod and take her under my wing.
Another interesting find in the Specola guestbook.