An American research astronomer, physicist, Jesuit religious brother, Director of the Vatican Observatory. He obtained his S.B. (1974) and S.M. (1975) degrees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. (1978) at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, all in planetary science. After postdoctoral research and teaching from 1978 to 1980 at Harvard College Observatory and from 1980 to 1983 at MIT, in 1983 he joined the US Peace Corps to serve in Kenya for two years, teaching astronomy and physics.

• If the Earth were to be squeezed to the size of a nut, would a black hole be formed?
• Why large prime numbers are hidden and constitute a state secret?
• What is your advantage over the other person?
• Would there be modern GPS systems without Einstein?
• What would have happened if we came near a black hole and threw an apple inside?