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GEORGE VINCENT COYNE Requiem Para Un Amigo

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GEORGE VINCENT COYNE Requiem Para Un Amigo GEORGE VINCENT COYNE Requiem para un amigo El astrofísico George Vincent Coyne, SJ, murió de cáncer de vejiga el 11 de febrero de 2020, en un hospital de Siracusa- E.U., a la edad de 87 años. Nos enteramos tardíamente de ello. Fue director del Observatorio Vaticano y jefe del grupo de investigación del observatorio en la Universidad de Arizona de 1978 a 2006. Desde enero de 2012 hasta su muerte, enseñó en Le Moyne College en Syracuse, Nueva York. Su carrera se dedicó a la conciliación de la teología y la ciencia, mientras que su posición en las Escrituras era absoluta: "Una cosa que la Biblia no es", dijo en 1994, "es un libro de texto científico. La Escritura está compuesta por el mito, de la poesía, de la historia. Pero simplemente no es enseñar ciencia". George Coyne nació en Baltimore el 19 de enero de 1933, el tercero de ocho hermanos. Ingresó al noviciado jesuita en Wernersville, Pensilvania, después de asistir a la Loyola High School en Blakefield, Maryland, con una beca, graduándose en 1951. Obtuvo su licenciatura en matemáticas y su licenciatura en filosofía en la Universidad de Fordham en 1958. Realizó un estudio espectrofotométrico de la superficie lunar para obtener su doctorado en astronomía de la Universidad de Georgetown en 1962. Pasó el verano de 1963 investigando en la Universidad de Harvard,el verano de 1964 como profesor de la National Science Foundation en la Universidad de Scranton,y el verano de 1965 como profesor visitante de investigación en la Universidad de Arizona y el Laboratorio Planetario de la misma (UA LPL). Obtuvo una licenciatura en teología sagrada en el Woodstock College y fue ordenado sacerdote en 1966. Coyne fue profesor asistente visitante en la UA LPL en 1966-67 y 1968-69 y astrónomo visitante en el Observatorio del Vaticano en 1967-68. Coyne se unió a dicho Observatorio como astrónomo en 1969 y se convirtió en profesor asistente en 1970. En 1976 se convirtió en investigador senior y profesor en el Departamento de Astronomía de la Universidad de Arizona. Al año siguiente se desempeñó como Director del Observatorio Catalinas de la misma. El Papa Juan Pablo I lo nombró Director del Observatorio Vaticano en 1978, y también Director Asociado del Observatorio Steward, de Arizona. Durante 1979-80 se desempeñó como Director Interino y Jefe del Observatorio Steward y del Departamento de Astronomía. Pasó cinco meses al año en Tucson como profesor adjunto en el Departamento de Astronomía de la Universidad de Arizona. Como Director del Observatorio Vaticano fue impulsor de varias nuevas iniciativas educativas y de investigación. Reclutó a jóvenes astrónomos de todo el mundo y estableció un programa para citas adjuntas no residentes que permitía na. a las mujeres participar. Las mujeres representaron casi la mitad de las participantes en la Escuela Bienal de Verano del Observatorio Vaticano que se estableció para estudiantes y graduados en astronomía. En la década de 1990 organizó conferencias en la sede del Observatorio en Castel Gandolfo, incluyendo una titulada "La acción de Dios en el universo" patrocinada conjuntamente con el Centro de Teología y las Ciencias Naturales de Berkeley, California. Uno de sus sucesores dijo que Coyne acaba de pedir a sus contrataciones que hicieran "buena ciencia" y que "Creó un espacio donde todos éramos libres para dedicarse a esa ciencia. Actuó como cortafuegos entre nosotros y los caprichos del Vaticano. Nos dio la bienvenida e hizo bienvenidos a nuestros colaboradores y visitantes". Los intereses de investigación de Coyne estaban en estudios polarimétricos de diversos objetos celestes, incluyendo el medio interestelar, estrellas con atmósferas extendidas y galaxias Seyfert, que son una clase de galaxias espirales con centros estelares muy pequeños e inusualmente brillantes. Los estudios de polarimetría podrían revelar las propiedades del polvo cósmico y las regiones de radiación sincrotrón en galaxias y otros objetos astronómicos. En años posteriores estudió la polarización producida en variables cataclísmicas, o la interacción de sistemas estelares binarios que desprenden ráfagas repentinas de energía intensa, y polvo sobre estrellas jóvenes. Dante Minniti, alumno de la Escuela del Vaticano con el Papa Juan Pablo II. Respecto de la polarimetría, hay una anécdota interesante. Dante, entonces alumno del OAC, becario en el Vaticano, asistía a una clase de George en la que se brindaron detalles de una seria limitación en las investigaciones de ciertos procesos en las atmósferas estelares; fue entonces cuando planteó al profesor la posibilidad de utilizar la polarización de la luz como medio para desentrañar la cuestión. “-Genial- respondió Coyne – no se nos había ocurrido”. Poco tiempo después el observatorio facilitó a la Argentina el Vatican Polarizer – instrumento de su propiedad - para su uso en El Leoncito, San Juan, con la condición de que se le facilitaran horas telescopio al estudiante Dante para sus trabajos. * Dres. George Coyne SJ, Andrea Ahumada y Juan José Clariá Olmedo en casa del autor. En oportunidad de una viaje de George a San Juan para realizar trabajos con dicho instrumento, pasó por Córdoba y visitó al autor y su señora en su casa, a quienes no veía desde un par de reuniones en Tucson, empanadas por medio, realizadas tiempo atrás. El asteroide 14429 Coyne,fue denominado así en su honor. Fue miembro activo de la Unión Astronómica Internacional,la Sociedad Astronómica Americana,la Sociedad Astronómica del Pacífico,la Sociedad Física Americana y la Sociedad Óptica de América. Vaya así, nuestro sentido homenaje a tan querido y distante amigo, que no pasó en vano por este mundo Edgardo Ronald Minniti Morgan .
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