The Lost Constellations: A History of Obsolete, Extinct, or Forgotten Star Lore (Springer Praxis Books)

Casual stargazers are familiar with many classical figures and asterisms composed of bright stars (e.g., Orion and the Plough), but this book reveals not just the constellations of today but those of yesteryear. The history of the human identification of constellations among the stars is explored through the stories of some influential celestial cartographers whose works determined whether new inventions survived. The history of how the modern set of 88 constellations was defined by the professional astronomy community is recounted, explaining how the constellations described in the book became permanently “extinct.” Dr. Barentine addresses why some figures were tried and discarded, and also directs observers to how those figures can still be picked out on a clear night if one knows where to look. These lost constellations are described in great detail using historical references, enabling observers to rediscover them on their own surveys of the sky. Treatment of the obsolete constellations as extant features of the night sky adds a new dimension to stargazing that merges history with the accessibility and immediacy of the night sky. From the back cover: "Casual stargazers are familiar with many classical figures and asterisms composed of bright stars (e.g., Orion and the Plough), but this book reveals not just the constellations of today but those of yesteryear. The history of the human identification of constellations among the stars is explored through the stories of some influential celestial cartographers whose works determined whether new inventions survived. The history of how the modern set of 88 constellations was defined by the professional astronomy community is recounted, explaining how the constellations described in the book become permanently 'extinct.' Dr. Barentine addresses why some figures were tried and discarded, and also directs observers to how those figures can still be picked out on a clear night if one knows where to look. These lost constellations are described in great detail using historical references, enabling observers to rediscover them while doing their own surveys of the sky. Treatment of the obsolete constellations as extant features of the night sky adds a new dimension to stargazing that merges history with the accessibility and immediacy of the night sky." Casual stargazers are familiar with many classical figures and asterisms composed of bright stars (e.g., Orion and the Plough), but this book reveals not just the constellations of today but those of yesteryear. The history of the human identification of constellations among the stars is explored through the stories of some influential celestial cartographers whose works determined whether new inventions survived. The history of how the modern set of 88 constellations was defined by the professional astronomy community is recounted, explaining how the constellations described in the book became permanently "extinct." Dr. Barentine addresses why some figures were tried and discarded, and also directs observers to how those figures can still be picked out on a clear night if one knows where to look. These lost constellations are described in great detail using historical references, ennabling observers to rediscover them on their own surveys of the sky. Treatment of the obsolete constellations as extant features of the night sky adds a new dimension to stargazing that merges history with the accessibility and immediacy of the night sky Front Matter....Pages i-xx Front Matter....Pages 1-1 What Is a Constellation?....Pages 3-10 The Contemporary Sky Emerges....Pages 11-31 Front Matter....Pages 33-33 Anser....Pages 35-45 Antinoüs....Pages 47-63 Argo Navis....Pages 65-88 Cancer Minor....Pages 89-97 Cerberus et Ramus Pomifer....Pages 99-117 Custos Messium....Pages 119-137 Felis....Pages 139-151 Gallus....Pages 153-161 Globus Aerostaticus....Pages 163-176 Honores Frederici....Pages 177-200 Jordanis....Pages 201-216 Machina Electrica....Pages 217-226 Mons Maenalus....Pages 227-238 Musca Borealis....Pages 239-255 Officina Typographica....Pages 257-272 Psalterium Georgianum....Pages 273-291 Quadrans Muralis....Pages 293-305 Rangifer....Pages 307-320 Front Matter....Pages 33-33 Rhombus....Pages 321-333 Robur Carolinum....Pages 335-356 Sagitta Australis....Pages 357-362 Sceptrum Brandenburgicum....Pages 363-383 Taurus Poniatovii....Pages 385-399 Telescopia Herschelii....Pages 401-423 Tigris....Pages 425-438 Triangulum Minus....Pages 439-447 Turdus Solitarius/Noctua....Pages 449-464 Front Matter....Pages 465-465 Lost and Found....Pages 467-470 Back Matter....Pages 471-506