Southern constellations, 17th century celestial map. The constellations are represented by artworks of the mythical people and creatures for whom they

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Southern constellations, 17th century celestial map. The constellations are represented by artworks of the mythical people and creatures for whom they are named. This celestial map is from the 1690 edition of Prodromus Astronomiae, a catalogue of 1564 stars, published by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687). The map is centred on the southern zodiacal (ecliptic) pole, rather than the southern celestial pole (offset below centre). Cherubs adorn the artwork's corners, bearing banners of Latin text and using astronomical instruments. Prodromus Astronomiae was published posthumously by Hevelius's wife.

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Size: 4247px × 4308px
Photo credit: © ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1600s, 1690, 17th, artwork, astrology, astronomiae, astronomical, astronomy, atlas, austral, black--white, catalogue, celestial, century, constellation, constellations, diagram, ecliptic, engraving, european, hemisphere, hevelius, historical, history, illustration, johannes, latin, map, monochrome, mythical, mythology, night, pole, polish, prodromus, renaissance, science, sky, southern, space, star, universe, zodiac, zodiacal