Auriga Constellation, 1822

Auriga Constellation, 1822

Auriga is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union. Located north of the celestial equator, its name is the Latin word for charioteer, associating it with various mythological charioteers including Erichthonius and Myrtilus. Auriga is most prominent during winter evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, along with the five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism. In Chinese mythology, Auriga's stars were incorporated into several constellations, including the celestial emperors' chariots, made up of the modern constellation's brightest stars. A Celestial Atlas (1822) by Alexander Jamieson, inspired by the star atlas of Johann Elert Bode, but restricted itself to stars that could be seen with the naked eye. Comprising a systematic display of the heavens in a series of thirty maps illustrated by scientific description of their contents and accompanied by catalogues of the stars and astronomical exercises, plate 4, 1822.

Album / Science Source / U.S. Naval Observatory Library

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3724 x 3000 px | 32.0 MB

31.5 x 25.4 cm | 12.4 x 10.0 in (300 dpi)