From Peru to Mars

I was totally spoiled for choice today - snowdrops at mums and a wonderful mural in the coffee shop I stopped in. However this had to win.
This evening we attended a fascinating and very informative lecture by Brother Guy Consalmagno - Director of the Vatican Observatories and co- author of ‘ Turn Left at Orion’ a very well known and popular guide to star gazing.It was a historical account of the impact made on science by the Jesuit Society ( which is huge) and the continuing work they do today which as he said they call ‘ orphan science’ as they have the resources in terms of funding and time to do the small but essential background research which scientists in the secular world would have great difficulty getting funding for. Well worth attending if you get the chance. 
The blip is his autograph in Nigel’s copy of the book I mentioned :)