By Franky Fernandes –
The men of cloth being men of science would carry not just Gospel but also European science. In a similar fashion, a Jesuit priest from Kadan, Wenceslaus Pantaleon Kirwitzer (ca. 1589‒1626), a member of the Collegium Romanum, was in Goa while on his sojourn to China. Kirwitzer who was part of mission destined for China was one among the group of 22 missionaries had set on sail from Lisbon on April 1618 led by Nicolas Trigault (1577‒1628) which included some priest-astronomers Giacomo Rho (1592‒1638), Johannes Schreck-Terrentius (also Terrenz; 1576‒1630) and Adam Schall von Bell (1592‒1666). They had carried with them few telescopes, some measuring instruments, and a large number of books.
Also read:
Jesuits Contribution to Astronomy: From Rachol and Beyond
India as an Observatory: Involvement of Jesuits in India
They entered Goa on 4 October 1618. While this halt was made, two great comets appeared in the morning skies of November in quick succession. Since this would require joint efforts and astronomical instruments, Kirwitzer wrote to his fellow Jesuits: Fr. Jacobus Rho at Goa and Fr. Antonius Rubinus at Cochin. Hence, in Goa, the observations were done at Collegio Rachol, Insula Ivari (Divar) and at St. Paul College (Old Goa). Kirwitzer mentions that he made the use of telescope to observe the comets but the type of telescope used is not known whether Galilean telescope with a mount or hand-held with draw out-tubes. These Jesuits also made the use of other astronomical instruments namely astrolabe and astronomical radius, i.e., cross-staff.
The first comet was observed from 10th to 30th November. However, on certain days it was not possible due to the cloudy sky. Kirwitzer made the observation from Divar and Old Goa while Fr. Jacobus Rho observed it from Rachol and Old Goa. The second comet was seen on 24th November. On the same day it was observed by Fr. Johannes Terrentius from the fields of Rachol College. This particular comet was observed till 12th January 1619.
What did the observers saw and measured? Namely, the altitudes and azimuths, angular distance from stars like Spica etc. in grad (degrees), and the observers’ visual impressions, including difficulty from illumination due to the moon and sunlight. Later, these observations were collated and published in a monograph titled Observationes Cometarvm Anni 1618. In India Orientali Factae a Societatis iesv Mathematicis in Sinese Regnum Nauigamtibus ex Itinere eo Delatis. This was published by Schönwetter in Ursellis, in the year 1620.
These comets were also independently observed by the fourth Mughal Emperor of India Jahāngīr (1569‒1627) with the use of astronomical instruments namely astrolabes, accurate water-driven clocks (clepsydras), sundials and sandglasses.
The significance of this event is twofold: firstly, it was the first modern astronomical observation in India and secondly, the first use of optical device (telescope) for astronomical observation in India, dated November 10th 1618 – this makes Goa the birth place of telescopic observation in India and not Surat as was previously believed.
This has put Goa and Rachol Seminary in particular on the world map for its scientific contribution. What is more interesting is that if Fr. Kirwitzer, a Jesuit priest from Europe came and contributed to the Indian astronomy in the past; today we have our very own Goan Jesuit priest Fr. Richard D’Souza working at the Vatican observatory and contributing at a universal level. He had stormed the headlines last year by discovering a long-lost sibling galaxy of the Milky Way.
Rachol Seminary, continues to promote science through various ways such as seminars, publications and has even produced stalwarts in the field of science like Late Fr. Antonio Francisco Souza. Fr. Victor Ferrão, former student and currently a professor in the Rachol Seminary became the first person in India to do his doctorate in the field of science and religion.
Astronomical Principles in Religious Architecture of Goa
As part of broader evangelization mission, Jesuits raised religious architecture. Sarvesh Sinai Borkar, a local archeo–astronomy enthusiast and researcher opines that those Churches that are east-west facing, constructed between 16-17th centuries has made use of astronomical principles in their architecture in various ways. For instance, use of controlled light to illumine certain portions, on specific days of the year, at a particular time. This type of astronomical marvel was witnessed in the Holy Spirit Church, Margão which is a Jesuit construction. A beam of light was shining before sunset on equinox, on the image of Holy Spirit on the main altar and two other side altars.
Some of the Churches even served as practical observatories that based on the rising and setting of the sun aligned on the equinox and solstice day with the western and eastern entrance. Many Churches even had astronomical instruments like sun-dial watches. Such watches are seen in Jesuit built Churches even today such as Lotoulim and Verna. Rachol Seminary which is also a Jesuit architecture has two such sun-dials one painted on the seminary courtyard and another made of stone.
The reasons for incorporating such astronomical principles probably was to show relation of human activities to the cosmos, to maintain time, to determine the day of the equinox and for other religious purpose.
To be continued…
Tomorrow: India as an Observatory: Involvement of Jesuits in India
Franky Fernandes is a Seminarian of the Rachol Seminary. He presented a paper at a Symposium organised by the Rachol Seminary in collaboration with All India Mission Seminary, Pilar on “Hawking, Dawkins and God: Seeking Catholic Perspectives” on January 12, 2019 in the Rachol Seminary Auditorium. These details and many other fascinating findings were presented by Seminarian Franky Fernandes of the Rachol Seminary, who investigated the “Historical perspective on Jesuit contribution to Astronomy” and highlighted the use of the telescope on the Indian soil for the time from the Rachol Seminary in 1618. A two-part abridged version of his research paper had appeared in The Goan last week under the title “Indian astronomy: Involvement of Jesuits- I.”