Buzz
There are 88 constellations ('star-patterns') officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union today. In earlier times, astronomers created their own constellations to fill in the gaps left by the recognized ones, often to honor royalty, commemorate new discoveries, or reflect personal favorites. These constellations were featured in Johann Bode's 1801 'Uranographia' star maps, though they have now been replaced or discarded in favor of modern constellations. Click on the images for a detailed view.
15. Argo Navis The Ship 'Argo'
Recognized since at least the time of Ptolemy, the ship 'Argo' was a prominent feature of the southern hemisphere's summer and fall skies. Over time, it was divided into four constellations: Carina (the keel), Vela (the sails), Puppis (the stern or poop deck), and Pyxis (the compass). Canopus, alpha Carinae, is the second brightest star in the sky, just behind Sirius. Argo Navis represented the 50-oared galley in which Jason and the Argonauts journeyed to retrieve the golden fleece from Colchis in the Black Sea. The ship was constructed by Argus, who gave it his name.
14. Rangifer The Reindeer
Also referred to as Tardanus, this small circumpolar constellation is located in the far northern sky, positioned between Camelopardus (the giraffe) and Cepheus (the King), directly across from Ursa Minor. Its placement near the celestial north pole is quite fitting for the reindeer. The constellation was created by Le Monnier after his visit to Lapland, where he measured the length of a degree of latitude in the far northern reaches of the world.
13. Custos Messium In Honor of Charles Messier
Created by the French astronomer and writer Jérôme Lalande in 1775, this constellation lies next to Rangifer, between Camelopardus and Cassiopeia (the Queen). The name 'Custos Messium' is a playful reference to his fellow Frenchman, Charles Messier, the famous comet hunter. In fact, the constellation was often referred to simply as 'Messier,' especially in France.
12. Antinous Zeus' Servant
This northern summer constellation, made up of stars that now belong to Aquila, the Eagle, represents Antinous, a real historical figure. Antinous was the young lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, rather than a mythical character. Its earliest known depiction dates back to 1536 on a star globe by German mathematician and cartographer Caspar Vopel (1511–61), and again in 1551 on a star globe by Gerardus Mercator. Tycho Brahe cataloged it as a distinct constellation in 1602, and it remained widely accepted until the 19th century.
11. Taurus Poniatovii Poniatowski’s Bull
Created in 1777 to honor Poland's King Stanislaus Poniatowski, this constellation lies between Ophiuchus (the Serpent-Bearer) and Aquila in the northern summer sky. It should not be confused with the northern winter constellation, Taurus the Bull.
10. Turdus Solitarius / Noctua Dove / Owl
The stars at the end of Hydra's tail have been variously interpreted as a solitary thrush or an owl, based on the two bright stars located above Pi Hydrae. The bird depicted in Le Monnier's constellation diagram resembles a female blue rock thrush. Le Monnier stated that he introduced the constellation in memory of the voyage to the island of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean.
9. Quadrans Muralis The Quadrant
This constellation represents the quadrant instruments used by sailors for navigation. It is located between the head of Bootes and the body of Draco. The Quadrantid meteor shower takes its name from this constellation.
8. Felis The Cat
A small constellation nestled between Hydra (the Water Snake) and Antlia (the Pump). It was created by Lalande in 1799, who humorously said: 'I am very fond of cats. I will let this figure scratch on the chart. The starry sky has worried me quite enough in my life, so that now I can have my joke with it.'
7. Cerberus The Guard-Dog of Hades
Representing the three-headed guard-dog of the Underworld, who was captured by Hercules, this constellation is fittingly positioned in Hercules' right hand, near Lyra, in the northern spring sky. Bode’s illustration, however, resembles twisting snakes, symbolizing Hercules' first act of strength when he killed two snakes sent by Hera to his crib. The constellation was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in 1687, replacing the depiction of the branch from the tree of the golden apples that had once been shown in Hercules' hand.
6. Anser The Goose
The constellation Vulpecula (the Fox) was originally named Vulpecula et Anser (the Fox and the Goose). In this arrangement, Anser was depicted in the Fox's mouth. This constellation can be found in the summer sky beneath Cygnus the Swan, and was named by Hevelius in 1690.
5. Honores Friderici Frederick's Honors
The constellation symbolizes the 'honors' of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who passed away the year before. Created by Bode, it includes symbols such as Frederick's crown, sword, and a quill pen, symbolizing him as a hero, sage, and peacemaker. The constellation lies between Lacerta (the Lizard) and Andromeda (the Maiden) in the northern fall sky.
4. Harpa Georgii or Psalterium Georgii George's Harp
This small constellation, located at the feet of Taurus the Bull, honors King George III of England. He was the patron of William Herschel, the astronomer who discovered Uranus. Both Herschel and King George had German ancestry. Maximilian Hell, a Hungarian-born director of the Vienna Observatory, introduced this constellation in 1789.
3. Globus Aerostaticus the Hot-Air Balloon
Created by Lalande to honor the invention of the hot-air balloon, this constellation is located beneath Capricornus (the sea-goat).
Some text sourced from Ian Ridpath’s, StarTales
2. Officina Typographica the Printing Press
Another of Bode's creations, this constellation celebrates the invention of the printing press. It lies beneath Monoceros (the unicorn) and to the left of Canis Major (the large dog). Introduced in 1801, it commemorates the 350th anniversary of Gutenberg’s invention of movable type printing.
1. Machina Electrica the Electric Machine
Created by Bode in 1800 to celebrate the newly invented electric generator, this constellation is positioned below Cetus the Sea-monster, nestled between Fornax (the Furnace) and Sculptor (the sculpting table). Bode likely aimed to follow the example of the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, who had introduced constellations symbolizing scientific and technical advancements.
