The Venus transit of 1882 in Argentine Patagonia: Science, politics, and territorial expansion

Abstract

In 1882, five astronomical missions, led by the French military and supported by an Argentine group, spread out for months between Buenos Aires and Patagonia to prepare the observation of the passage of Venus across the Sun. The promoters were accused of wasting government funds. Nevertheless, the event was widely covered by the press and followed by the public around the world. This article shows the role of statements about the relevance of the event for national and international politics, shows the territorial scope of the observations in Argentina, and analyzes the connections between prominent collaborators in national political life and other intermediaries with varying degrees of training in astronomy. These connections went beyond the recording of data and the sharing of scientific results from the transit of Venus and extended to political spheres related to the exploration, expansion, and claiming of territories for the international market.