Former constellations

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]

Noteworthy former constellations[edit]

Argo Navis[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

List of former constellations[edit]

Name Pronunciation Genitive Meaning Date created Created by Notable stars Position
Anguilla /æŋˈɡwɪlə/ 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 /ænˈtɪnoʊəs/ 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 /ˈeɪpɪs/ Apis Bee (obsolete name and renamed to Musca Australis, and then shortened to Musca) 1598 Petrus Plancius List where Musca is now
Aranea /əˈreɪniə/ 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 /ˈɑːrɡoʊ ˈneɪvɪs/ 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 /ˈbjuːfoʊ/ Bufonis Toad 1754 John Hill 58 Hydrae, Sigma Librae tail of Hydra
Cancer Minor /ˈkænsərˈmaɪnər/ 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 /ˈsɜːrbərəs/ 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 /ˈkʌstɒs ˈmɛʃiəm/ 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 /dɛnˈteɪliəm/ Dentalii Tooth Shell 1754 John Hill 69, 71 Aquilae, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 21 Aquarii between Aquila and Aquarius
Felis /ˈfiːlɪs/ Felis Cat 1799 Jérôme Lalande G, I Hydrae, Felis, HD 82573 and HD 78792 southern Hydra
Frederici Honores /frɛdəˈraɪsaɪ hɒˈnɔːriːz/ Frederici Honorum Frederick's Honors 1787 Johann Elert Bode[16]
Gallus /ˈɡæləs/ Galli Rooster 1613 Petrus Plancius
Gladii Electorales Saxonici Gladiorum Electoralium Saxonicorum Crossed Swords of the Electorate of Saxony 1684 Gottfried Kirch
Globus Aerostaticus /ˈɡloʊbəs ˌɛərəˈstætɪkəs/ Globi Aerostatici Hot air balloon 1798 Jérôme Lalande[17]
Gryphites /ɡrɪˈfaɪtiːz/ Gryphitis Gryphaea shellfish 1754 John Hill
Hippocampus /hɪpəˈkæmpəs/ Hippocampi Sea Horse 1754 John Hill
Hirudo /hɪˈruːdoʊ/ Hirudinis Leech 1754 John Hill
Jordanus /dʒɔːrˈdeɪnəs/ 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 /ˈlɪliəm/ Lilii Fleur de Lys (renamed Musca Borealis) 1679 Augustin Royer/P. Anthelme
Limax /ˈlaɪmæks/ 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 /ˈlɒkiəm ˈfjuːnɪs/ Lochii Funis Log line (renamed Linea Nautica in 1888 by Eliza A. Bowen[18]) 1801 Johann Elert Bode[19]
Lumbricus /lʌmˈbraɪkəs/ Lumbrici Earthworm 1754 John Hill
Machina Electrica /ˈmækɪnə ɪˈlɛktrɪkə/ Machinae Electricae Electricity generator 1800 Johann Elert Bode[20]
Malus /ˈmeɪləs/ Mali Mast 1844 John Herschel
Manis /ˈmeɪnɪs/ Manis Pangolin 1754 John Hill
Marmor Sculptile Marmoris Sculptilis Bust of Columbus 1810 William Croswell
Mons Maenalus /ˈmɒnz ˈmɛnələs/ Montis Maenali Mount Mainalo 1690 Johannes Hevelius[21]
Musca Borealis /ˈmʌskə bɔːriˈeɪlɪs/ Muscae Borealis Northern Fly 1690 Johannes Hevelius
Noctua /ˈnɒktjuə/ Noctuae Owl 1822 Alexander Jamieson
Nubecula Major and Nubecula Minor[citation needed] Nubeculae Majoris, Nubeculae Minoris Magellanic Clouds 1603 Johann Bayer
Officina Typographica /ˌɒfɪˈsaɪnə taɪpəˈɡræfɪkə/ Officinae Typographicae Printshop 1801 Johann Elert Bode[22]
Patella /pəˈtɛlə/ Patellae Limpet 1754 John Hill
Phaethon Phaethontis Phaethon Middle Ages Aratus/Hyginus
Phoenicopterus /ˌfɛnəˈkɒptərəs/ Phoenicopteri Flamingo (an obsolete name for Grus) early 17th century[23] Petrus Plancius/Paul Merula
Pinna Marina /ˈpɪnə məˈraɪnə/ 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 /pəˈlɒfɪlæks/ Polophylacis Guardian of the Pole 1592 Petrus Plancius
Pomum Imperiale Pomi Imperialis Leopold's orb 1688 Gottfried Kirch
Psalterium Georgii /sælˈtɪəriəm ˈdʒɔːrdʒiaɪ/ Psalterii Georgii George's Psaltery (renamed to Harp Georgii by Lalande) 1781 Maximilian Hell[24]
Quadrans Muralis /ˈkweɪdrænz mjʊəˈreɪlɪs/ Quadrantis Muralis Mural Quadrant 1795 Jérôme Lalande[25]
Quadratum Quadrati Rhombus (obsolete name for Reticulum Rhomboidalis) 1706 Carel Allard
Ramus Pomifer /ˈreɪməs ˈpɒmɪfər/ Rami Pomiferi Apple-bearing Branch 1690 Johannes Hevelius[26]
Robur Carolinum /ˈroʊbər kærəˈlaɪnəm/ Roboris Carolini Charles' Oak 1679 Edmund Halley[27]
Rosa Rosae Rose 1536 Petrus Apianus
Sagitta Australis Sagittae Australis Southern Arrow 1613 Petrus Plancius
Scarabaeus /skærəˈbiːəs/ Scarabaei Rhinoceros Beetle 1754 John Hill
Sceptrum Brandenburgicum /ˈsɛptrəm ˌbrændənˈbɜːrdʒɪkəm/ Sceptri Brandenburgici Scepter of Brandenburg 1688 Gottfried Kirch[28]
Sceptrum et Manus Iustitiae /ˈsɛptrəm ɛt ˈmeɪnəs dʒəˈstɪʃii/ 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 /səˈlɛəriəm/ 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 /təˈrændəs, ˈrændʒɪfər/ Tarandi, Rangiferi Reindeer 1736 Pierre Charles Lemonnier[33]
Taurus Poniatovii /ˈtɔːrəs pɒniəˈtoʊviaɪ/ Tauri Poniatovii Poniatowski's Bull 1777 Marcin Poczobut[34]
Telescopium Herschelii /tɛlɪˈskoʊpiəm hərˈʃiːliaɪ/ Telescopii Herschelii Herschel's Telescope (renamed from Tubus Herschelii Major by Bode in 1801) 1781 Maximilian Hell[35]
Testudo /tɛsˈtjuːdoʊ/ Testudinis Tortoise 1754 John Hill
Tigris /ˈtaɪɡrɪs/ Tigridis Tigris River 1613 Petrus Plancius
Triangulum Majus Trianguli Majoris Large Triangle (obsolete name for Triangulum) 1690 Johannes Hevelius
Triangulum Minus /traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm ˈmaɪnəs/ 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 /ˈtɜːrdəs sɒlɪˈtɛəriəs/ 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 /jʊərəˈnɒskəpəs/ Uranoscopi Star-Gazer fish 1754 John Hill
Urna Urnae Urn of Aquarius 1596 Zacharias Bornmann
Vespa /ˈvɛspə/ 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[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Former constellations.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Constellations". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  2. ^ a b Ian Ridpath. "Constellation names, abbreviations and sizes". Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Constellation boundaries". Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  5. ^ "Star Tales – Argo Navis". www.ianridpath.com.
  6. ^ "Star Tales – Sceptrum Brandenburgicum".
  7. ^ "Star Tales – Felis".
  8. ^ Allen 1963, p. 40.
  9. ^ "Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 30.djvu/774 - Wikisource, the free online library". en.wikisource.org.
  10. ^ "Star Tales – Cancer". www.ianridpath.com.
  11. ^ Ridpath, Ian. "Canes Venatici". Star Tales. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  12. ^ "AMALTHEA (Amaltheia) - Goat Nurse of Zeus in Greek Mythology". www.theoi.com.
  13. ^ Ridpath, Ian. "Canes Venatici". Star Tales.
  14. ^ Allen 1963, p. 191.
  15. ^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete". astrocultura.uai.it.
  16. ^ Allen 1963, p. 221.
  17. ^ Allen 1963, p. 237.
  18. ^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete". astrocultura.uai.it.
  19. ^ Allen 1963, p. 65.
  20. ^ Allen 1963, p. 289.
  21. ^ Allen 1963, p. 290.
  22. ^ Allen 1963, p. 297.
  23. ^ "Star Tales – Grus". www.ianridpath.com.
  24. ^ Allen 1963, p. 347.
  25. ^ Allen 1963, p. 348.
  26. ^ Allen 1963, p. 242.
  27. ^ Allen 1963, p. 349.
  28. ^ Allen 1963, p. 360.
  29. ^ Kanas, Nick (2007). Star maps: history, artistry, and cartography. New York, New York: Springer. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-387-71668-8.
  30. ^ Gent, R.H. van. "A Pair of Puzzling Star Maps and Two Unknown Constellations". webspace.science.uu.nl.
  31. ^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete". astrocultura.uai.it.
  32. ^ "Nuova pagina 1". Atlascoelestis.com. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  33. ^ Allen 1963, p. 377.
  34. ^ Allen 1963, p. 413.
  35. ^ Allen 1963, p. 414.
  36. ^ Allen 1963, p. 417.
  37. ^ Allen 1963, p. 418.
  38. ^ Allen 1963, p. 292.
  39. ^ "Nuova pagina 1". Atlascoelestis.com. Retrieved 2018-08-05.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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