Day Laborers of Science. Technical Work at the Astronomical Observatory of Chile (1852–1927)

Carlos Sanhueza-Cerda, Ph.D., is an academic and the associate professor at the Universidad de Chile, where he occupies the Latin American Chair in History and History of Science. With numerous publications to his credit, including books, articles, and chapters, Dr. Sanhueza-Cerda's work offers valuable insights into various aspects of observational sciences, particularly astronomy and meteorology. Notably, his recent studies shed light on the astronomy networks of the 19th century, pivotal in establishing astronomical observatories in Chile. His groundbreaking research is exemplified in his article "Finding a Point of Observation in the Global South: The C. L. Gerling and J.M. Gilliss Correspondence (1847–1856)," published in the Journal for the History of Astronomy (2020). Moreover, Dr. Sanhueza-Cerda's scholarly endeavors extend to exploring the global dynamics of astronomical instrument movements, focusing on the exchange between users and manufacturers of telescopes, with a special emphasis on Chile in the early 20th century. His work in this area has earned him recognition, with publications in esteemed journals such as Isis, making him one of the few Latin American scholars to feature in the journal. Dedicated to advancing international collaborations in the history of science, Dr. Sanhueza-Cerda serves on the steering committee of RECSLAC (USA) and engages in projects with eminent scholars such as Jürgen Renn at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin.

• Introduction.- Buildings and constructions.- Mechanics.- Mechanics and astronomers in competition: who validates stabilization?.- Collaborators.- Conclusions: Traces of a silence.