FLAMSTEED’S CELESTIAL ATLAS OF 1729:

This edition by M. J. Fortin, published “A PARIS: Chez F.G. Deschamps, Libraire, rue S. Jacques, ou l’Auteur, rue de la Harpe, pres celle du Foin, M DCC LXXVI.” (1776.)

So the names and text are all in French. The first 10 plates show various depictions of the Earth and the night sky, and then 26 plates show 56 constellations, including 44 out of the 48 originally proposed by Claudius Ptolemy by AD140. (He listed 21 Northern, 12 Zodiacal and 15 Southern.) Some of the constellations, while charming, were never officially adopted (see notes for some plates.) Curiously omitted are the 14 constellations nearer the South Pole, those assembled by the French astronomer-priest Abbe Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752, but since this Atlas goes no further South than 30 degrees, that isn’t surprising.

We find that the Zodiac signs, suitably framed, make very acceptable birthday or Christmas presents, or for any special occasion, for someone interested in astrology. (In which case, we offer, free, a copy of the frontispiece of the book.) These we can just print out and post to you.

See also the Zodiac signs in Part 4, above. Prices on Application, from £50.00.

It must be clearly understood that once images have been ordered, then put onto a CD or DVD, and the disc handed over or despatched, then every image must be paid for.

1031 The frontispiece of the book.

1032 The planetary orbits, according to Ptolemy.

.1 Egyptian, Ptolemy and Tycho systems

1033 The Copernican planetary system.

.1 Plate I

.2 Plate IV

.3 Plate VI

.4 Plate VIII

.5 Plate IX

.6 Plate III

.7 Plate X

.8 Plate

.9 Plate XIV

1034 A Ptolemaic armillary sphere.

.1 Sphere Armillaire

.2 A quadrant

.3 Lunar penumbra 1764 over N Europe and Asia

.4 Ellipse de 26° pour Paris

.5 Orbit of the fourth satellite

.6 Saturn’s rings

1035 The Northern Terrestrial Hemisphere, as viewed from the North Pole.

1036 The Southern Terrestrial Hemisphere, as viewed from the South Pole.

1037 The Northern Celestial Hemisphere.

1038 The Southern Celestial Hemisphere.

1039 The Southern stars and constellations, by Abbe de la Lacaille, 1752.

1040 A Planisphere showing the alignments of the principal stars.

1041 Casseopia, Cepheus, The Reindeer, Ursa Minor the Little Bear, and Draco the Dragon. (The Reindeer was proposed by Le Monnier in 1775 but not officially adopted.)

1042 Andromeda, Perseus, the Head of Medusa, and the Triangles.

1043 The Giraffe (or Camelopardus, but lacking its’ head) and Auriga.

1044 Lynx and Leo Minor.

1045 The Great Bear, Ursa Major.

1046 Bootes the Herdsman, Canes Venatici the Hunting Dogs, and Coma Berenices.

1047 Hercules and Corona.

1048 Ophiuchus, or Serpentarius, with the Serpent.

1049 Aquila the Eagle, Antinous, Sagitta the Arrow, Vulpecula and Anser, the Fox (with the Goose), Delphinus the Dolphin, and Poniatowski’s Bull.(Antinous, looking rather like a cherub, was proposed by Tycho Brahe in 1559, subsequently abandoned but still shown on this map of 1775. Poniatowski’s Bull was proposed by Poczobut in 1777 but never officially adopted, presumably because Taurus was already in existence.)

1050 Cygnus the Swan, and Lyra the Lyre.

1051 Pegasus.

1052 Aries, the Ram.

1053 Taurus, and Orion.

1054 Gemini, the Twins.

1055 Cancer, the Crab.

1056 Leo Major.

1057 Virgo, the Virgin.

1058 Libra, the Scales, and Scorpio.

1059 Sagittarius, the Archer.

1060 Aquarius the Water-carrier, and Capricorn the Goat.

1061 Pisces.

1062 Cetus, the Whale, or sea-monster.

1063 Eridanus the river, Orion, and Lepus the Hare.

1064 Monoceros, the Unicorn, Canis Major, and Canis Minor, and Lepus the Hare.

1065 The head and fore-part of Hydra, the Water-snake, with Crater the Cup, and Sextans.

1066 The tail of Hydra, with Crater and Corvus the Crow.