An astronomical observatory in Valparaíso? Biography and controversy of Chile’s first professional astronomical observatory

Abstract

Where and when does the history of professional astronomy in Chile begin? Traditionally, this milestone has been attributed to the observatory on Cerro Santa Lucía in Santiago, later known as the National Astronomical Observatory, established in 1849 by the American naval lieutenant James Melville Gilliss. However, several historical sources reveal the existence and operations of an earlier observatory. Founded in 1843 by the Scottish watchmaker John Mouat on Cerro Cordillera in Valparaíso, its establishment would be representative of a unique period in world astronomy, closely linked to the astronomical determination of time, maritime navigation, and the role of port cities as part of the modern globalising process, highlighting its foundation due to the strategic importance and technological innovation characteristic of mid-19th century Valparaíso. Applying an object cultural biography approach, this article traces and contextualises sources that account for the operations of this observatory, aiming to introduce and validate the hypothesis that it should be recognized as the foundational milestone of professional astronomy in Chile. Its building, still standing, is situated today at the intersection of the history of architecture, science, and technology, serving as a testament to an architectural typology specific to an exceptional period in global technological and scientific development, marking the beginnings of the systematic practice of professional astronomy in the country, now a global powerhouse in this field. In 2023, marking 180 years since its first light, this article documents the biography of the Valparaíso Observatory, the first professional astronomical observatory in Chile.