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 100th Anniversary of Death Of Father Angelo Secchi Scott 654-656 (1979) Famed astronomer Father Angelo Secchi, SJ, died in Rome on February 26, 1878. On June 25, 1979, the Vatican issued three stamps commemorating his death. The series is comprised of three values, 180L, 220L, and 300L. The series was originally slated to be released in 1978 but, due to the deaths of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul I, was delayed until 1979. Running along the top of each stamp is a different representation of the stellar spectra. In the upper left of each stamp is a right profile portrait of Father Secchi; in the upper right-hand corner are the dates 1878-1978. Vertically inscribed immediately under the dates is Angelo Secchi. In the lower left-hand corner is each stamp's value and on each different valued stamp is a representation of a particular solar protuberance. In the center of each stamp is depicted an astronomical instrument or machine which was either created or perfected by Father Secchi; a meteorograph on the 180L; a spectroscope on the 220L; and a telescope on the 300L. At the bottom right of each stamp are the words POSTE VATICANE. The Stamps are horizontal in format, measuring 50.8 x 30mm. with a perforation of 14 x 13-1/4. They were issued in sheets of 20 and are produced on white glossy paper In multicolor printing in recess and offset by the Polygraphic Institute and Mint of the Italian State. 1,200,00 complete series were printed. Angelo Secchi, astronomer, meteorologist, and physicist, was born in Reggio, Emilia, Italy on June 18, 1818. He was schooled in Reggio by the Jesuits, joining the Society in 1833 and being ordained a priest in 1847. In 1839 Father was appointed a teacher of mathematics and physics at the Roman College. In 1841 Father Secchi was appointed professor of physics at the Jesuit college at Loreto. Fleeing revolutionists in 1848, Father Angelo went to Stonyhurst College in England. Later Father Secchi taught physics at Georgetown University in Washington, D. C. In 1850 he was back in Rome as the director of the Roman College observatory which had been founded by Pope Gregory XIII in 1576 in order to aid in reforming the Julian calendar. Secchi, one of the founders of astrophysics (the study of the composition and properties of the stars), did intensive research on the stars, planets, and the sun. He made the first general spectral classification of the stars which, with modifications, is used to the present day. Father Secchi carried out investigations in meteorology with his fame in this area resting upon his invention of the meteorgraph, an instrument that automatically and continuously records barometric pressure, temperature, wind velocity, rainfall, and humidity. Being it prolific writer, 775 titles were authored by Father Secchi. In 2018, the Vatican Post Office released another stamp picturing Father Secchi. The two-stamp set, entitled "Science and Faith", also honored mathematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi:  Father Angelo Secchi Science and Faith Issue Scott 1691 (2018) This article originally appeared in Vatican Notes, Volume XXVIII, Number 2, pages 4-5, September-October 1979. It has been edited and updated. Please click on the link below to view the original Notes article. References: |
