Media Advisory

WHAT:	Vatican Observatory’s Director to Present: “Galaxy Evolution in the Local Universe”
WHEN:	3:45 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20
WHERE:	The Catholic University of America Hannan Hall, Room 108 620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, D.C.
DETAILS:	The Vatican Observatory’s director discusses the cosmic evolution over the last 13 billion years in a lecture presented by CUA’s Department of Physics: “Galaxy Evolution in the Local Universe.” Rev. José G. Funes, a Jesuit priest who holds a doctorate in astronomy, will speak about the role of galaxies in astrophysics and the link between the present universe and the properties of the early universe. The goal of this survey is to characterize the local population of star-forming galaxies. He will discuss results of an imaging program of irregular galaxies.  Father Funes specializes in image analyses to understand how galaxies form and evolve. The Vatican Observatory is one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world, located at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
SPONSOR:	Department of Physics
MEDIA:	To cover the event, contact Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy in the Office of Public Affairs at 202-319-5600.

—30—
#088