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The article analyzes the collaboration provided by the National Astronomical Observatory to the Chilean State during the “Cuestión de Límites” in the 1893-1901 period. It is proposed that the assistance of the Astronomical Observatory was highly relevant to the precision’s works of the Limits Commission. The main sources are the protocols signed by Chile and Argentina, the technical documents published by the Limits Commission and the institutional documents of the Astronomical Observatory. Combined, these sources enable us to understand what types of works the Limits Commission had to carry out and the specific ways in which the Observatory cooperated. The results show that the main assistance of the National Astronomical Observatory was in the provision of specialized personnel in geographic works, adjustment of precision instruments and determination of strategic geographic coordinates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the trajectory of Francisco Vidal Gormaz, a Chilean scientist and soldier. He worked in hydrography, geography, cartography and meteorology. As a Chilean Marine official, Gormaz explored most of the national territory in the second half of XIX century and was the Hydrography Secretariat director. However, after the civil war of 1891, Gormaz was separated from the Secretariat and forgot by the national history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the trajectory of Francisco Vidal Gormaz, a Chilean scientist and soldier. He worked in hydrography, geography, cartography and meteorology. As a Chilean Marine official, Gormaz explored most of the national territory in the second half of XIX century and was the Hydrography Secretariat director. However, after the civil war of 1891, Gormaz was separated from the Secretariat and forgot by the national history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]