In late August, the International Astronomical Union (“IAU”) held their thirtieth General Assembly in Vienna, Austria. There were many fascinating points that were discussed, yet one of them in particular should capture the attention of Catholics: the popular proposal to rename the “Hubble Law” as the “Hubble-Lemaître Law”.
Monsignor Georges Lemaître (1894-1966) was a Catholic priest, astronomer, and professor of physics at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. Lemaître first proposed what has since been named – at first pejoratively, but since compellingly— the “Big Bang Theory.” As reported by the Catholic Herald earlier this summer, Google thankfully celebrated Lemaître with a “doodle” back on July 18. However, what has taken place within the last few years has been captivating, and it seems that the IAU is poised to grant to Lemaître the honor that is due to him by renaming the “Hubble Law” as the “Hubble-Lemaître Law.”