Hercules Constellation, Bayer, 1603

Hercules Constellation, Bayer, 1603

Hercules constellation from Johann Bayer's star atlas Uranometria Omnium Asterismorum, 1603. Hercules is a constellation named after Hercules, the Roman mythological hero adapted from the Greek hero Heracles. Hercules was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union. It is the fifth largest of the modern constellations. The traditional visualization imagines a Herculis as Hercules's head; its name, Ras Algethi, literally means "head of the kneeling one". Hercules's left hand then points toward Lyra from his shoulder (Delta Herculis), and Beta Herculis forms his other shoulder. His narrow waist is formed by Epsilon and Zeta Herculis. Finally, his left leg (with Theta as the knee and Iota the foot) is stepping on Draco's head, the dragon/snake who Hercules has vanquished and perpetually gloats over for eternities. Johann Bayer's star atlas Uranometria Omnium Asterismorum was the first atlas to cover the entire celestial sphere. The Uranometria introduced a new system of star designation which has become known as the Bayer designation. His atlas added 12 new constellations to fill in the far south of the night sky, which was unknown to ancient Greece and Rome.

Album / Science Source / New York Public Library

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40.6 x 28.6 cm | 16.0 x 11.2 in (300 dpi)