The Córdoba Observatory and the History of the ‘Personal Equation’ (1871–1886)

Abstract

The Córdoba Observatory in Argentina, founded in 1871 with state funds, was directed until 1886 by Benjamin Gould, an American trained by German astronomers. His work there began at an interesting time for the basic aims of international astronomy, as astronomers sought to unify astronomical catalogues and maps, previously heterogeneous because they were used in more limited areas. There was, then, an endeavour to get on paper the entire firmament, and for all the world’s observatory equipment to use the same technical criteria. This period included the introduction of the electric chronograph to standardize the measurement of time for astronomic observations, the construction of photometers in order to reach a consensus on measuring star brightness, international agreements on common units of measurement and reference points for use in astronomical calculations of terrestrial distances, and conventions regarding astronomical work regulation. At the Córdoba Observatory, the working teams would participate in all these processes, forming a fundamental section in the construction of the “southern sky” scientific object.