King Rama IV, Sir Harry Ord and the total solar eclipse of 18 August 1868: power, politics and astronomy (2021)
Orchiston, Wayne (Author)
Orchiston, Darunee Lingling (Author)
Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage
Volume: 24
Issue: 2
Pages: 389-404
The August 1868 total solar eclipse was a watershed event in astronomical history, and through spectroscopic and photographic analyses led to major breakthroughs in solar physics. This eclipse was observed from Aden, India, Siam and the Dutch East Indies. Apart from the scientific accomplishments, this eclipse also played an important diplomatic role in Siam, where the English and the French had colonial aspirations. Sir Harry Ord was the Governor of the British Straits Settlements, based in Singapore, and in this paper we look at his involvement in King Rama IV's eclipse campaign, and the way in which his presence was part of the King's tactic to counter French and British colonial aspirations. We also see that King Rama IV used the 1868 eclipse as a vehicle to show the Thai people the superiority of Western scientific astronomy over traditional Siamese astrology.
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