Former constellations
Constellations that are no longer widely recognised
The former constellation Argo Navis
Gladii Saxonici from 1684 Acta Eruditorum
Former constellations are old historical Western constellations that for various reasons are no longer widely recognised or are not officially recognised by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).[ 1] Prior to 1930, many of these defunct constellations were traditional in one or more countries or cultures. Some only lasted decades but others were referred to over many centuries. All are now recognised only for having classical or historical value.[ 2] Many former constellations had complex Latinised names after objects, people, or mythological or zoological creatures.[ 2] Others with unwieldy names were shortened for convenience. For example, Scutum Sobiescianum was reduced to Scutum , Mons Mensae to Mensa , and Apparatus Sculptoris to Sculptor .
Some of the Northern Sky 's former constellations were placed in the less populated regions between the traditional brighter constellations just to fill gaps. In the Southern Sky , new constellations were often created from about the 15th century by voyagers who began journeying south of the Equator . European countries like England, France, the Netherlands, German or Italian states, etc., often supported and popularised their own constellation outlines. In some cases, different constellations occupied overlapping areas and included the same stars. These former constellations are often found in older books, star charts , or star catalogues .
The 88 modern constellation names and boundaries were standardised by Eugene Delporte for the IAU in 1930, under an international agreement, removing any possible astronomical ambiguities between astronomers from different countries.[ 3] Nearly all former or defunct constellations differ in their designated boundaries in as much as they have outlines that do not follow the exact lines of right ascension and declination .[ 4]
Argo Navis
Argo Navis is the only constellation from Ptolemy 's original list of 48 constellations that is no longer officially recognized. Due to its large size, it was split into three constellations by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille : Carina (the keel), Puppis (the poop deck ), and Vela (the sails).[ 5] The new constellations were introduced in the 1763 star catalog Coelum Australe Stelliferum , which was published soon after de Lacaille's death.
Quadrans Muralis
Quadrans Muralis was originally created in 1795, placed in the northern skies between the still-accepted constellations Boötes and Draco . The Quadrantids meteor shower is named after this former constellation.
Remnant nomenclature
Name
Genitive
Meaning
Date created
Created by
Notable stars
Position
Anguilla
Anguillae
Eel
1754
John Hill
ε Equulei , ε , κ Delphini , 66 Aquilae , υ Sagittarii , α , δ , ε Scuti
between Equuleus , Delphinus , Aquila and Serpens
Antinous
Antinoi
Antinous
132
Emperor Hadrian [ 8]
δ , η , θ , ι , κ , λ and ν Aquilae
Southern Aquila
Apes
Apium
Bees (renamed to Vespa, then Lilium, then to Musca Borealis )
1612
Petrus Plancius
33 , 35 Arietis , Lilli Borea and Bharani
between Perseus and Aries
Apis
Apis
Bee (obsolete name and renamed to Musca Australis, and then shortened to Musca )
1598
Petrus Plancius
List
where Musca is now
Aranea
Araneae
Long-Legged Spider
1754
John Hill
53 , 55 , 57 , 61 , 63 , 68 , 69 , 75 , 83 , 87 , y Virginis and HD 120544
between Virgo and Corvus
Argo Navis
Argus Navis
The Ship Argo (now divided into Carina , Puppis , and Vela )
2nd century
Claudius Ptolemy
List (Carina , Puppis , Vela )
where Carina , Puppis and Vela reside now
Asselli and Praesepe
Assellorum, Praesepis
Dionysus 's Asses (Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis ) and Manger (Beehive Cluster )
3rd century BC
Aratus [ 9] [ 10]
Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis
middle part of Cancer
Asterion and Chara
Northern and Southern Dogs in Canes Venatici
1690
Johannes Hevelius .[ 11]
Cor Caroli and β Canum Venaticorum
where Canes Venatici is now
Battery of Volta
Battery
1807
Thomas Young
1 and 9 Pegasi
between Delphinus and Pegasus
Bufo
Bufonis
Toad
1754
John Hill
58 Hydrae , Sigma Librae
tail of Hydra
Cancer Minor
Cancri Minoris
Lesser Crab
1613
Petrus Plancius
68 , 74 , 81 , 85 Geminorum and HIP 36616
south-western Gemini
Capra and Haedi
Caprae, Haedorum
Goat Amalthea (stars surrounding Capella ) and the Kids (Haedus I and Haedus II )
3rd century BC
Aratus [ 12]
ζ and η Aurigae
eastern Auriga
Cerberus
Cerberi
Cerberus (guardian dog of Hades )
1690
Johannes Hevelius
93 , 95 , 102 and 109 Herculis
eastern Hercules
Cor Caroli Regis Martyris
Cordis Caroli
Charles 's Heart
1673
Charles Scarborough [ 13]
Cor Caroli
central Canes Venatici
Corona Firmiana
Coronae Firmianae
Corona Borealis renamed to honor Count Leopold Anton von Firmian
1730
Corbinianus Thomas
List
where Corona Borealis is now
Custos Messium
Custodis Messium
Keeper of harvests
1775
Jérôme Lalande [ 14]
23 , 47 , 49 , 50 Cassiopeiae , γ , CS Camelopardalis
between Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis
Deltoton
Delta (obsolete name for Triangulum Boreale )
1540
Petrus Apianus [ 15]
Mothallah , β and γ Trianguli
Triangulum
Dentalium
Dentalii
Tooth Shell
1754
John Hill
69 , 71 Aquilae , 4 , 11 , 12 , 15 , 16 and 21 Aquarii
between Aquila and Aquarius
Felis
Felis
Cat
1799
Jérôme Lalande
G , I Hydrae , Felis , HD 82573 and HD 78702
southern Hydra
Frederici Honores
Frederici Honorum
Frederick 's Honors
1787
Johann Elert Bode [ 16]
Gallus
Galli
Rooster
1613
Petrus Plancius
Gladii Electorales Saxonici
Gladiorum Electoralium Saxonicorum
Crossed Swords of the Electorate of Saxony
1684
Gottfried Kirch
Globus Aerostaticus
Globi Aerostatici
Hot air balloon
1798
Jérôme Lalande [ 17]
Gryphites
Gryphitis
Gryphaea shellfish
1754
John Hill
Hippocampus
Hippocampi
Sea Horse
1754
John Hill
Hirudo
Hirudinis
Leech
1754
John Hill
Jordanus
Jordani
River Jordan
1613
Petrus Plancius
Leo Palatinus
Leonis Palatini
Lion to honor the Elector Palatine Charles Theodore and his wife Elisabeth Auguste
1785
Karl-Joseph König
Lilium
Lilii
Fleur de Lys (renamed Musca Borealis )
1679
Augustin Royer /P. Anthelme
Limax
Limacis
Slug
1754
John Hill
Linum Piscium
Lini Piscium
The line connecting the fish (renamed by Bode in 1801 from Hevelius's Linum Austrinum and Linum Boreum; known as Lineola too)
1590
Thomas Hood
Lochium Funis
Lochii Funis
Log line (renamed Linea Nautica in 1888 by Eliza A. Bowen[ 18] )
1801
Johann Elert Bode [ 19]
Lumbricus
Lumbrici
Earthworm
1754
John Hill
Machina Electrica
Machinae Electricae
Electricity generator
1800
Johann Elert Bode [ 20]
Malus
Mali
Mast
1844
John Herschel
Manis
Manis
Pangolin
1754
John Hill
Marmor Sculptile
Marmoris Sculptilis
Bust of Columbus
1810
William Croswell
Mons Maenalus
Montis Maenali
Mount Mainalo
1690
Johannes Hevelius [ 21]
Musca Borealis
Muscae Borealis
Northern Fly
1690
Johannes Hevelius
Noctua
Noctuae
Owl
1822
Alexander Jamieson
Nubecula Major and Nubecula Minor [citation needed ]
Nubeculae Majoris, Nubeculae Minoris
Magellanic Clouds
1603
Johann Bayer
Officina Typographica
Officinae Typographicae
Printshop
1801
Johann Elert Bode [ 22]
Patella
Patellae
Limpet
1754
John Hill
Phaethon
Phaethontis
Phaethon
Middle Ages
Aratus /Hyginus
Phoenicopterus
Phoenicopteri
Flamingo (an obsolete name for Grus )
early 17th century [ 23]
Petrus Plancius /Paul Merula
Pinna Marina
Pinnae Marinae
Mussel
1754
John Hill
Piscis Notus
Piscis Noti
Southern Fish (obsolete name for Piscis Austrinus )
3rd century BC
Aratus
Pluteum
Plutei
Parapet (obsolete for Pictor )
1881
Richard Andree
Polophylax
Polophylacis
Guardian of the Pole
1592
Petrus Plancius
Pomum Imperiale
Pomi Imperialis
Leopold 's orb
1688
Gottfried Kirch
Psalterium Georgii
Psalterii Georgii
George 's Psaltery (renamed to Harp Georgii by Lalande )
1781
Maximilian Hell [ 24]
Quadrans Muralis
Quadrantis Muralis
Mural Quadrant
1795
Jérôme Lalande [ 25]
Quadratum
Quadrati
Rhombus (obsolete name for Reticulum Rhomboidalis )
1706
Carel Allard
Ramus Pomifer
Rami Pomiferi
Apple-bearing Branch
1690
Johannes Hevelius [ 26]
Robur Carolinum
Roboris Carolini
Charles' Oak
1679
Edmund Halley [ 27]
Rosa
Rosae
Rose
1536
Petrus Apianus
Sagitta Australis
Sagittae Australis
Southern Arrow
1613
Petrus Plancius
Scarabaeus
Scarabaei
Rhinoceros Beetle
1754
John Hill
Sceptrum Brandenburgicum
Sceptri Brandenburgici
Scepter of Brandenburg
1688
Gottfried Kirch [ 28]
Sceptrum et Manus Iustitiae
Sceptri et Manus Iustitiae
Scepter and Hand of Justice
1679
Augustin Royer
Sciurus Volans
Sciuri Volantis
Flying Squirrel (now part of Camelopardalis )
1810
William Croswell[ 29]
Sextans Uraniae
Sextantis Uraniae
Urania 's Sextant (obsolete name for Sextans )
1690
Johannes Hevelius
Siren, Ceneus and Lang
Siren , Lapith Caeneus and Toucan
early 17th century [ 30]
Unknown/Willem Jansz Blaeu
Solarium
Solarii
Sundial
1822
Alexander Jamieson
Sudarium Veronicae
Sudarii Veronicae
Sudarium of Veronica
1643
Antoine Marie Schyrle de Rheita[ 31]
Tarabellum and Vexillum
Tarabelli, Vexilli
Drill and flag-like Standard
12th century
Michael Scot [ 32]
Tarandus or Rangifer
Tarandi, Rangiferi
Reindeer
1736
Pierre Charles Lemonnier [ 33]
Taurus Poniatovii
Tauri Poniatovii
Poniatowski 's Bull
1777
Marcin Poczobut [ 34]
Telescopium Herschelii
Telescopii Herschelii
Herschel 's Telescope (renamed from Tubus Herschelii Major by Bode in 1801)
1781
Maximilian Hell [ 35]
Testudo
Testudinis
Tortoise
1754
John Hill
Tigris
Tigridis
Tigris River
1613
Petrus Plancius
Triangulum Majus
Trianguli Majoris
Large Triangle (obsolete name for Triangulum )
1690
Johannes Hevelius
Triangulum Minus
Trianguli Minoris
Small Triangle
1690
Johannes Hevelius [ 36]
Triangulus Antarcticus
Trianguli Antarctici
Obsolete name for Triangulum Australe
1589
Petrus Plancius
Tubus Herschelii Minor
Tubi Herschelii Minoris
Herschel 's Reflector
1781
Maximilian Hell
Turdus Solitarius
Turdi Solitarii
Solitary Thrush (renamed to Mocking Bird and then to Noctua ). Named in honor of the Rodrigues solitaire , an extinct flightless bird related to the dodo.
1776
Pierre Charles Lemonnier [ 37]
Uranoscopus
Uranoscopi
Star-Gazer fish
1754
John Hill
Urna
Urnae
Urn of Aquarius
1596
Zacharias Bornmann
Vespa
Vespae
Wasp (an obsolete name for Musca Borealis )
1624
Jakob Bartsch [ 38]
Triangula , Triangulum , Catuli , Corona , Corolla , Piscis , Camelus , Vulpes , Equus , Delphin , Ursa Minor , Canis , Felis , Leaena and Cervus
Triangulae, Trianguli, Catulorum, Coronae, Corollae, Piscis, Cameli, Vulpis, Equi, Delphinis, Ursae Minoris, Canis, Felis, Leaenae, Cervi
Obsolete names for Triangulum Boreale , Triangulum Australe , Canes Venatici , Corona Borealis , Corona Australis , Piscis Australis , Cameleopardalis , Vulpecula et Anser , Equuleus , Delphinus , Ursa Major , Ursa Minor , Canis Major , Canis Minor , Leo Minor and Monoceros
1873
Richard Proctor [ 39]
See also
References
^ "The Constellations" . International Astronomical Union . Retrieved 1 April 2018 .
^ a b Ian Ridpath. "Constellation names, abbreviations and sizes" . Retrieved 1 April 2018 .
^ Marc Lachièze-Rey; Jean-Pierre Luminet; Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Paris (16 July 2001). Celestial Treasury: From the Music of the Spheres to the Conquest of Space . Cambridge University Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-521-80040-2 .
^ "Constellation boundaries" . Retrieved 1 April 2018 .
^ "Star Tales – Argo Navis" . www.ianridpath.com .
^ "Star Tales – Sceptrum Brandenburgicum" .
^ "Star Tales – Felis" .
^ Allen 1963, p. 40.
^ "Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 30.djvu/774 - Wikisource, the free online library" . en.wikisource.org .
^ "Star Tales – Cancer" . www.ianridpath.com .
^ Ridpath, Ian. "Canes Venatici" . Star Tales . Retrieved 1 April 2018 .
^ "AMALTHEA (Amaltheia) - Goat Nurse of Zeus in Greek Mythology" . www.theoi.com .
^ Ridpath, Ian. "Canes Venatici" . Star Tales .
^ Allen 1963, p. 191.
^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete" . astrocultura.uai.it .
^ Allen 1963, p. 221.
^ Allen 1963, p. 237.
^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete" . astrocultura.uai.it .
^ Allen 1963, p. 65.
^ Allen 1963, p. 289.
^ Allen 1963, p. 290.
^ Allen 1963, p. 297.
^ "Star Tales – Grus" . www.ianridpath.com .
^ Allen 1963, p. 347.
^ Allen 1963, p. 348.
^ Allen 1963, p. 242.
^ Allen 1963, p. 349.
^ Allen 1963, p. 360.
^ Kanas, Nick (2007). Star maps: history, artistry, and cartography . New York, New York: Springer. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-387-71668-8 .
^ Gent, R.H. van. "A Pair of Puzzling Star Maps and Two Unknown Constellations" . webspace.science.uu.nl .
^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete" . astrocultura.uai.it .
^ "Nuova pagina 1" . Atlascoelestis.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018 .
^ Allen 1963, p. 377.
^ Allen 1963, p. 413.
^ Allen 1963, p. 414.
^ Allen 1963, p. 417.
^ Allen 1963, p. 418.
^ Allen 1963, p. 292.
^ "Nuova pagina 1" . Atlascoelestis.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018 .
Further reading
External links
Constellation history
48 constellations listed by
Ptolemy after 150 AD
The 41 additional constellations added in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries
obsolete constellation names