Journal article
The sphere and the dome: The Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium in Lisbon and the imperial myth of the Estado Novo
History of science, v 59(2), pp 179-196
01 Jun 2021
PMID: 30270660
Abstract
Inaugurated in 1965, the Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium (CGP) was the first institution of its kind in Portugal. The CGP was established in the context of the relocation of the Maritime Museum of Lisbon (Museu de Marinha) to Belem, an area of the Portuguese capital highly symbolic of Portuguese maritime and imperial history. The dictatorial regime known as Estado Novo used Belem as a ground for major events that affirmed the legitimacy of Portugal's overseas empire by celebrating the maritime deeds of erstwhile sovereigns and navigators, in a mythical narrative of a glorious imperial destiny. Given the close association between astronomy and nautical science, the CGP was certain to gain a prominent place in the tapestry of Belem's symbolic inscriptions. This paper addresses the inception of the CGP in its urban context, showing how this area of Lisbon provided an ideal backdrop for this institution, and how its foundation was promoted and steered by a naval officer and amateur astronomer who maintained an ambivalent relation with the regime: Eugenio da Conceicao Silva (1903-69).
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Details
- Title
- The sphere and the dome: The Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium in Lisbon and the imperial myth of the Estado Novo
- Creators
- Pedro Raposo - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Publication Details
- History of science, v 59(2), pp 179-196
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 18
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- History; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000661943800004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85058823203
- Other Identifier
- 991022018609404721
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- Web of Science research areas
- History & Philosophy Of Science