Former constellations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Former constellations are constellations that are no longer recognized by the International Astronomical Union for various reasons. Many of these constellations existed for long periods of time, even centuries in many cases, which means they still have a large historical value and can be found on older star charts.
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[edit] Noteworthy Former Constellations
[edit] 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 four constellations by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille: Carina (the keel), Puppis (the poop deck), Pyxis, the compass, and Vela (the sails). This new version was introduced in the star catalog Coelum Australe Stelliferum in 1763, which was published after de Lacaille's death.
[edit] Quadrans Muralis
Quadrans Muralis was originally created in 1795, but has since been merged into the constellations Boötes and Ursa Major. However the Quadrantids meteor shower is still named after the former constellation.
[edit] Other Reminiscences
53 Eridani retains the name Sceptrum from the former constellation Sceptrum Brandenburgicum.
[edit] List of Former Constellations
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Date created | Created by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antinous | ænˈtɪnoʊəs | Antinous | 132 | Emperor Hadrian |
| Argo Navis | ˈɑrgoʊˈneɪvɨs | The ship Argo | Ancient Greek | |
| Cancer Minor | ˈkænsɚˈmaɪnɚ | Lesser Crab | 1613 | Petrus Plancius |
| Cerberus | ˈsɝbərəs | Cerberus, guardian dog of Hades | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius |
| Custos Messium | ˈkʌstɒsˈmɛʃiəm | Keeper of harvests | 1775 | Jérôme Lalande |
| Felis | ˈfiːlɨs | Cat | 1805 | Jérôme Lalande |
| Frederici Honores | ˌfrɛdəˈraɪsaɪ hɒˈnɔəriz | Frederick's Honors | 1787 | Johann Bode |
| Gallus | ˈgæləs | Rooster | 17th century | Petrus Plancius |
| Globus Aerostaticus | ˈgloʊbəs ˌɛərəˈstætɨkəs | Hot air balloon | 1798 | Jérôme Lalande |
| Jordanus | dʒɔrˈdeɪnəs | River Jordan | 17th century | Petrus Plancius |
| Lochium Funis | ˈloʊkiəm ˈfjuːnɨs | Log line | Johann Bode | |
| Machina Electrica | ˈmækɨnə ɨˈlɛktrɨkə | Electricity generator | 1800 | Johann Bode |
| Malus | ˈmeɪləs | Mast | ||
| Mons Maenalus | ˈmɒnz ˈmɛnələs | Mount Mainalo | Johannes Hevelius | |
| Musca Borealis | ˈmʌskəˌbɔəriˈeɪlɨs | Northern Fly | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius |
| Noctua | ˈnɒktʃuːə | Owl | ||
| Officina Typographica | ˌɒfɨˈsaɪnə ˌtaɪpəˈgræfɨkə | Printshop | Johann Bode | |
| Phoenicopterus | ˌfɛnəˈkɒptərəs | Flamingo (an obsolete name for Grus) | ||
| Polophylax | pəˈlɒfɨlæks | Guardian of the Pole | ||
| Psalterium Georgii | sælˈtɪriəm dʒiˈɔrdʒiaɪ | George's Psaltery | ||
| Quadrans Muralis | ˈkweɪdrænz mjʊˈreɪlɨs | Mural Quadrant | ||
| Ramus Pomifer | ˈreɪməs ˈpɒmɨfɚ | Apple-bearing Branch | ||
| Robur Carolinum | ˈroʊbɚ ˌkærəˈlaɪnəm | Charles' Oak | ||
| Sceptrum Brandenburgicum | ˈsɛptrəm ˌbrændənˈbɝdʒɨkəm | Scepter of Brandenburg | ||
| Sceptrum et Manus Iustitiae | ˈsɛptrəm ɛt ˈmeɪnəs dʒəˈstɪʃii | Scepter and Hand of Justice | ||
| Solarium | səˈlɛəriəm | Sundial | ||
| Tarandus vel Rangifer | təˈrændəs vɛl ˈrændʒɨfɚ | Reindeer | ||
| Taurus Poniatovii | ˈtɔːrəs ˌpɒniəˈtoʊviaɪ | Poniatowski's Bull | ||
| Telescopium Herschelii | ˌtɛlɨˈskoʊpiəm hɚˈʃiːliaɪ | Herschel's Telescope | ||
| Testudo | tɛsˈtjuːdoʊ | Tortoise | ||
| Tigris | ˈtaɪgrɨs | Tigris River | ||
| Triangulum Minor | traɪˈæŋgjʊləm ˈmaɪnɚ | Lesser Triangle | ||
| Turdus Solitarius | ˈtɝdəs ˌsɒlɨˈteɪriəs | Solitary Thrush | ||
| Vespa | ˈvɛspə | Wasp | ||
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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