The Vatican didn't just torment Gallileo — it also helped further the development of astronomy, with masterpieces like this 18th century Planetarium, created by Martin Benjamin. And now the Vatican's treasures of astronomy are going on display. Gallery below.


I apologize in advance for the weird racist statue with images # 2 and 3. Images by AFP/Getty.


A18th century Planetarium made by Martin Benjamin is exhibited on October 13, 2009 during the 'Astrum 2009, Astronomy and Instruments' exhibition at The Vatican museum. The exhibition, running from October 16 to January 16, 2010 is organized on occasion of the International year of Astronomy, with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), and is orientated on the history, functioning and evolution of the different instruments created by Man over ten centuries for the observation of the sky, for the location of the stars and celestial bodies. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)

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A view of a celestial and terrestrial Globe designed by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli in 1696 which is exhibited on October 13, 2009 during the 'Astrum 2009, Astronomy and Instruments' exhibition at The Vatican museum. The exhibition, running from October 16 to January 16, 2010 is organized on occasion of the International year of Astronomy, with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), and is orientated on the history, functioning and evolution of the different instruments created by Man over ten centuries for the observation of the sky, for the location of the stars and celestial bodies. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)


A view of a celestial and terrestrial Globe designed by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli in 1696 which is exhibited on October 13, 2009 during the 'Astrum 2009, Astronomy and Instruments' exhibition at The Vatican museum. The exhibition, running from October 16 to January 16, 2010 is organized on occasion of the International year of Astronomy, with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), and is orientated on the history, functioning and evolution of the different instruments created by Man over ten centuries for the observation of the sky, for the location of the stars and celestial bodies. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)




A celestial globe by Giovanni Antonio Vanosino in1567, showing the main Ptolemaic constellations in convex representation, is exhibited on October 13, 2009 during the 'Astrum 2009' exhibition at The Vatican museum. The exhibition, running from October 16 to January 16, 2010 is organized on occasion of the International year of Astronomy, with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), and is orientated on the history, functioning and evolution of the different instruments created by Man over ten centuries for the observation of the sky, for the location of the stars and celestial bodies. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)




A celestial globe by Giovanni Antonio Vanosino in1567, showing the main Ptolemaic constellations in convex representation, is exhibited on October 13, 2009 during the 'Astrum 2009' exhibition at The Vatican museum. The exhibition, running from October 16 to January 16, 2010 is organized on occasion of the International year of Astronomy, with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), and is orientated on the history, functioning and evolution of the different instruments created by Man over ten centuries for the observation of the sky, for the location of the stars and celestial bodies. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)




The Arsenius Gualterus' astrolab is exhibited on October 13, 2009 during the 'Astrum 2009, Astronomy and Instruments' exhibition at The Vatican museum. The exhibition, running from October 16 to January 16, 2010 is organized on occasion of the International year of Astronomy, with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), and is orientated on the history, functioning and evolution of the different instruments created by Man over ten centuries for the observation of the sky, for the location of the stars and celestial bodies. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)