Constellations Gallery

Durers Celestial Globe, 1515

Durer's Celestial Globe, 1515. This shows the northern hemisphere, and was prepared in conjunction with the astronomer Stabius. Four astronomers are shown in the corners: Aratus Cilis; Ptolomaeus Aegyptius; Maniliusromanus; and Azophi Arabus (al Sufi). Albrecht Durer (1471- 1528) produced the first printed star charts in 1515. One chart, or planisphere, showed all the northern constellations; the other depicted the southern hemisphere. The positions of the stars were exactly fixed (according to Ptolemey's catalogue) and the figures were artistically portrayed, in a classical style. Durer also chose to illustrate the constellations that would appear on a globe as if seen from space. Taken from The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Durer by Dr Willi Kurth (1936)

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Hydra constellations, 1829 C016/4412

Hydra constellations. 19th-century map of stars and constellations from the celestial atlas Sozviezdiia Predstavlennyia na XXX Tablitsakh (1829) by Kornelius Reissig, an Associate Member of the Russian Academy Sciences in St. Petersburg. The title translates as: Presentation of constellations in 30 tables'. This was the earliest Russian star atlas, and was based on earlier work by Bode (1806) and Flamsteed (1776). The constellations are labelled in Cyrillic, represented by mythological figures and animals. This is Plate 26, showing the constellations of Hydra (female water snake), Sextens (sextant), Antlia (air pump), Felis (cat), and Pyxis (mariner's compass)

© LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Draco and Ursa Minor constellations

Draco and Ursa Minor constellations. Illustrated card from a 19th century astronomical teaching aid called Urania's Mirror, after the Greek muse of astronomy. There are 32 cards in total. The cards are pierced with holes corresponding to the brightest stars so the pattern of the constellations can be seen when held up to the light. The cards were published in London, England, and it is thought they date from around 1825. This card shows the constellations Draco (the dragon), and Ursa Minor (the little bear). For all 32 cards, see V700/172-203

© ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY