Astronomy and Politics in Chile: The Role of Friedrich Ristenpart, Director of the National Astronomical Observatory, in the Dissemination and Popularization of Science, 1909–1911

This article examines Friedrich Ristenpart’s role in popularizing scientific knowledge as director of the National Astronomical Observatory in Santiago, Chile, from 1909 to 1911. Our analysis centers on four scientific texts that he published with the aim of reaching a wider reading public; we also draw on press releases and administrative documents, among other sources. We posit that Ristenpart’s role in popularizing scientific knowledge was closely aligned with Chilean president Pedro Montt’s political agenda to modernize the nation by establishing new scientific institutions, restoring old ones, and using the 1910 centennial of Chilean independence to showcase these institutional advances. This essay also explores why Ristenpart’s communicative strategy, which was dependent on the incumbent government’s power, made it difficult for him to cultivate local buy-in and ultimately realize his goal of popularizing scientific knowledge.