Journal article
Time, Weather and Empires: The Campos Rodrigues Observatory in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique (1905-1930)
Annals of science, v 72(3), pp 279-305
03 Jul 2015
PMID: 26104301
Abstract
In 1905 the Campos Rodrigues Observatory (CRO) was founded in Lourenço Marques (nowadays Maputo), the capital of Mozambique, by then part of the Portuguese overseas empire. In this paper the inception and early history of the CRO are analysed in the broader context of the interwoven history of the Portuguese and British empires in Africa, and specifically with respect to the scientific relations between Mozambique and South Africa. The equipment, personnel, practices and networks involved in the inception and early development of the CRO are brought into focus in order to illustrate the problems and strategies that shaped the establishment and functioning of this observatory, which was conceived essentially as a symbol of imperial stamina and colonial prowess. It is suggested that by providing a focal point for the development of scientific relations between Mozambique and South Africa, the CRO served both Portuguese ambitions for recognition as an imperial power and the emergence of South African nationalism.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Time, Weather and Empires: The Campos Rodrigues Observatory in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique (1905-1930)
- Creators
- Pedro MP Raposo - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Annals of science, v 72(3), pp 279-305
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 27
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- History; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000354442300002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84929287977
- Other Identifier
- 991022018608504721
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Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- History & Philosophy Of Science