Regional studies. Optical observations of artificial satellites in Puebla, Mexico (1957-1962)

Abstract

The observation Station for Artificial Satellites located in the city of Puebla, Pue., Mexico, has collaborated for almost five years with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A. in the tracking of artificial satellites by optical means. The creation of the station was begun in August 1957 by Mr. Domingo Taboada, a long-time observer of variable stars, at the request of Mr. Leon Campbell, Jr., astronomer of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, ¹ in charge of the Moonwatch Program in the United States of America. The collaboration of Mr. Taboada was requested to establish a station in the city of Puebla to observe the Vanguard satellite that would be released during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958, to form part of the network of the Moonwatch Program, with the assistance of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in ephemerides and observation equipment.