Vorstellung Einer Gegend Des Gestirnten Himmels ... Junius
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An attractive star chart, one of twelve monthly maps, each extending from the German horizon to about 45 degrees altitude. This particular example looks from east to south. The map shows many of the important constellations as well as naming some of the brightest stars on the chart. Prominent are: Ophiuchus and Antinous amongst others. Ophiuchus is a large constellation located around the celestial equator. Its name is from the Greek "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping the snake that is represented by the constellation Serpens. Ophiuchus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. 'Antinous' -a now obsolete constellation- has origins dating back to the year 132 and the Emperor Hadrian. He had the constellation placed in the sky to honour a favourite youth of his court, who according to myth sacrificed himself in order to prolong the life of the emperor. Later astronomers recognised this constellation as the youth Ganymede, who the Greek god Zeus had brought to Olympus by his eagle Aquila, in order to serve as cup-bearer to the gods. The stars of this constellation have since been given to the constellation of Aquila. Johann Elert Bode was a self taught astronomer whose texts and atlases on the subject were, and remain, hugely influential.
region: Celestials / Star Charts
mapmaker:
J. E. Bode
place and date of publication:
Berlin 1801
medium and colour:
copperplate, Coloured
ref:
41811
size in mm: 155 by 195mm (6 by 7.75 inches). literature: cf.Warner, The Sky Explored, p.34. Price: £ 100 |
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