Decoding the Stars: A Biography of Angelo Secchi, Jesuit and Scientist

Ileana Chinnici is an astronomer at the INAF-Palermo Astronomical Observatory and works in the field of the history of astrophysics. She has published books and articles in international journals, exploring historical archives related to scientific projects and scientists of the nineteenth century.

“Excellent biography […] Historians of science, whatever their national origin, should become familiar with the achievements of Father Secchi.”Naomi Pasachoff, Williams College. In: Metascience, Vol. 29, No. 1 (March 2020), pp. 77–80 (2020).“[This] will undoubtedly be the standard work on this remarkable Jesuit astronomer.”Wayne Orchiston, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, and Centre for Astrophysics, University of Southern Queensland. In: Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, Vol. 23, No. 1 (April 2020), pp. 227–228.“This excellent book not only presents Secchi’s scientific contributions and his personality but also situates him in the fascinating mix of science, politics and society of the Italian late nineteenth century.” Augustín Udías, Universidad Complutense, Madrid. In: Journal for the History of Astronomy, Vol. 52, No. 1 (2021), pp. 111–112. “Chinnici’s excellent biography gives us a thorough and strongly felt portrait of Secchi’s personality and work, especially, through his letters and writings. This is an important work for the history of astronomy and astrophysics in Italy; more generally, it aids the historical exploration of Jesuit contributions to science and the wider relationship between science and religion.”Agustín Udías, S.J., Universidad Complutense, Madrid. In: Archivum Historicum Societatis Iesu, Vol. 88, fasc. 176 (2019-II), pp. 611–613.

• ForewordBr. Guy Consolmagno, S.J.ForewordNichi D’AmicoPrefaceIleana ChinniciAcknowledgmentsList of IllustrationsIntroduction: A Century in Ferment1 Secchi’s Early Life and Education: From Childhood to the Priesthood2 The Experience of Exile: A Tragic Opportunity3 Establishing the New Collegio Romano Observatory: An Observatory for “Physical Astronomy”4 Advisor to the Papal States: Science in the Service of the Public5 A Rising International Career: Travels, Achievements, and Recognition6 Contributions to Astrophysics7 A Crucial Political Change: New Risks and Missed Opportunities8 A Society for a New Astronomy: Building a Network for Spectroscopic Research9 A Controversial Personality: Secchi and the Scientific Debates of His Time10 Secchi’s Final Years: Illness and UncertaintyConclusion: Secchi’s Scientific LegacyBibliographyIndex