Fr. Cartaya Is Out Of This World!
We are excited to announce that with the help of the Vatican Observatory, an asteroid has been named after Fr. Pedro Cartaya, S.J. ‘54. Fr. Cartaya has dedicated much of his life to the Belen Observatory and remains passionate about science and astronomy.
Asteroid Cartaya #623031 is a fitting tribute to a remarkable Jesuit we are blessed to have at Belen. This asteroid orbits between Mars and Jupiter.
“Now, with this unexpected asteroid dedication, my enthusiasm for astronomy will be redoubled, as a priest, for the glory of God, the progress of science, and the benefit of humanity,” says Fr. Cartaya.
In typical Fr. Cartaya fashion, he notes that this is the HIGHEST honor he has ever earned!
Fr. Willie ‘87 says, “Throughout the history of the Society of Jesus, there have been many Jesuit priests and brothers whose contributions to science won them a place in the heavens. Many are the craters of the moon and asteroids who have been baptized with the names of Jesuits. Now, one asteroid has been christened with the name of Fr. Pedro Pablo Cartaya. It is a fitting nod to a man of both faith and reason who has dedicated his life to finding God in all things, but especially in space.”
Asteroid Citation
(623031) Cartaya = 2015 GP61
Discovery: 2015-03-28 / K. Cernis, R. P. Boyle / Mount Graham / 290
Fr. Cartaya encourages students interested in learning about the stars and planets to join the Astronomy Club, which meets weekly in the Fr. Benito Viñes, S.J. Observatory. For meeting dates and times, please check the school calendar.
Stay tuned for more information about the total solar eclipse on April 8th. Fr. Cartaya will be hosting a viewing at the observatory—more details to follow.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.