Abstract The article analyzes the role played by the National Astronomical Observatory (Observatorio Astronómico Nacional) in the territorial expansion of Chile at the end of the nineteenth century, through the relationship with three geographical explorations associated with this process. It is proposed that the Observatory played a central role in these geographic explorations, helping to obtain precise geographic coordinates to produce accurate maps of the territories annexed to the north and south of Chile. The results allow us to affirm that the National Astronomical Observatory provided strategic services during territorial expansion, and geography was an important part of its institutional scientific work.

Resumen El artículo analiza el rol que jugó el Observatorio Astronómico Nacional en la expansión territorial de Chile a fines del siglo XIX, a través de la relación que sostuvo con tres exploraciones geográficas asociadas a este proceso. Se propone que el Observatorio cumplió un papel central para estas exploraciones geográficas, ayudando a obtener coordenadas geográficas precisas en pos de producir mapas exactos de los territorios anexados al norte y sur de Chile. Los resultados permiten afirmar que el Observatorio Astronómico Nacional fue una institución que prestó servicios estratégicos durante la expansión territorial y, a su vez, que la geografía fue parte importante de sus trabajos científicos institucionales.

This article is a case study of the scientific discussions on the birth of a zoological species that eventually came to be known as Arctocephalus philippii (Peters, 1866). It also examines the movement of the remains of a sea lion specimen from Chile to Germany and the discussions that arose in regard to its taxonomic definition. The paper argues that the material properties of this mobilized specimen, the circumstances of how it was hunted, transported and stored at the different museums, as well as the material aspects that later allowed it to be compared and analyzed, influenced the international debates on its classification between naturalists in England, Germany, Chile and Argentina. The first part reconstructs the context of sea lion's capture, transportation and transformation, while the second examines the discussion around this particular specimen - a controversy hinged partly upon the issue of the conditions in which it was graphically reproduced and preserved at the museum.

Valentín Letelier has been valued for its contribute to the renewal of the public education and of the philosophical thought in Chile. However, the history has not taken into account the work of Valentín Letelier as Secretary of Chilean Consulate in Berlin between the years 1881 and 1885. His time in Berlin permitted to Valentín Letelier to enrich his philosophical reflections and to know a model of public education. This article shows Letelier´s thoughts and works from unpublished letters to send from Valentín Letelier to Darío Risopatrón Cañas between the years 1883 and 1885

Valentín Letelier ha sido valorado por la historia por su aporte a la renovación de la educación pública y del pensamiento filosófico en Chile. Sin embargo, poco se ha destacado la importancia de su trabajo como secretario de la Legación chilena en Berlín entre los años 1881 y 1885. Dicha estadía le permitió enriquecer sus reflexiones filosóficas y conocer un modelo de educación pública que podía servir de ejemplo para la reforma de la enseñanza en Chile. La presente publicación expresa gran parte de dichas labores, reflexiones y acciones a partir de la trascripción de un conjunto de cartas -hasta ahora inéditas- enviadas por Valentín Letelier durante dicha estadía al entonces Secretario del Ministerio de Guerra chileno, Darío Risopatrón Cañas entre 1883 y 1885