Vatican Observatory Summer School 2025 explores the universe with the James Webb Telescope

With the arrival of twenty-four young astronomers from twenty-two countries, the new edition of the Vatican Observatory Summer School (VOSS) officially began on June 1, 2025, hosted as usual in the evocative location of the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo. This Summer School, now in its nineteenth edition since 1986, represents a high-level biennial event in the international panorama of astronomical education.
This year's theme, "Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope: the First Three Years", is dedicated to the extraordinary scientific discoveries made possible by the JWST space telescope, operational since 2022. Students are selected on the basis of merit and geographical origin. The program gives them an opportunity to immerse themselves for nearly a month in intensive study that alternates theoretical lessons with practical activities related to the analysis of JWST data in close connection with their research projects.
The academic program covers four fundamental areas: primordial light and reionization, the formation of galaxies, the birth of stars and protoplanetary systems, as well as furthering study of planetary systems and the origin of life. But beyond the scientific content, what makes the Vatican Observatory Summer School such a unique and memorable experience is its profoundly human and international spirit. This year’s school is chaired by Dr. Eiichi Egami of the University of Arizona, himself a former student of the Vatican Observatory Summer School in 1990 and now a member of the JWST/NIRCam team. As he emphasized in his welcoming speech, this is not only an opportunity to learn but above all to share ideas, cultures and worldviews. The teaching staff brings together leading names in astronomical research including Br. Guy Consolmagno S.J., Director of the Specola Vaticana [Vatican Observatory], Rev. Fr. David Brown S.J., Dean of the School, as well as researchers such as Almudena Alonso-Herrero, Tom Greene, Roberto Maiolino and Maria Drozdovskaya. In addition, international experts offer specialized seminars and workshops.
Besides study, the School also offers moments of cultural enrichment. The students will visit historic places such as Subiaco, Florence, Orvieto and Ostia Antica, living the Italian experience in all its historical and artistic richness. These informal moments help to create strong and lasting human bonds between participants, which often turn into scientific collaborations during their future careers.
The Vatican Observatory Summer School is completely free for all selected students, thanks to the support of the Vatican Observatory Foundation and numerous benefactors. This makes the initiative accessible to young scholars from less privileged contexts, strengthening the Vatican Observatory’s commitment to open, inclusive and global science.
In almost forty years of history, the School has trained over 400 young astronomers, many of whom are now active in universities, observatories and space projects around the world. Participating in the Vatican Observatory Summer School therefore means not only deepening scientific knowledge but also becoming part of an international research community, united by a passion for the universe and enthusiasm for research.
Maura Turoli