International Symposium on Astrophysics Research and Science Education

Edited by Chris Impey

From the Vatican Observatory Foundation

Since 1986 the Vatican Observatory has held each second year a Summer School in Astrophysics which brings together for each School a group of 25 young scholars from around the world to study a special topic in modern astrophysics. In July 1998 a reunion of those who participated in the first five schools was held at the Observatory at Castel Gandolfo (Rome, Italy). This took the form of a scientific symposium which included discussions both of many of the most important topics in modern astrophysics and of the differences in science education in many different countries. There were also discussions of the education of women in science and of the relationship between science and religion. This collection of papers presented at the symposium provides a wide spectrum of very interesting reading.

Chris Impey is Professor of Astronomy and Deputy Department Head at the Steward Observatory of the University of Arizona. He is co-author The Cosmic Journey and The Universe Revealed.