Uranometria, published in Augsburg, Germany in 1603 was the first star atlas showing the entire sky.
The atlas contained two overview charts for the northern and the southern hemisphere, 48 charts for each of
Ptolemy's constellations and one chart for the twelve
new constellations reported by Keyser and de Houtman.
Uranometria is derived from the Greek words for sky and measuring. Uranometry means "measuring the sky." The full title of the Atlas is
Uranometria : omnium asterismorum continens schemata, nova methodo delineata, aereis laminis expressa, meaning Uranometria, containing charts
of all the constellations.
The star charts were designed by by German cartographer
Johann Bayer, based on De Mundi Aetherei,
a star catalogue developed by Tycho Brahe's and published in 1602 - just a year prior
to Uranometria.
The charts are true pieces of art, engraved on copper plates by German engraver Alexander Mair.
ETH Zurich and atlascoelestis.com have
the complete collection of the original copperplate engravings. The pictures on this site are taken from the public domain of
Wikimedia.
Sources: Wikipedia, Ian Ridpath
Some of the thumbnail images show enlarged details.
Click on the pictures for complete, larger images. |
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Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
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Northern Hemisphere
Aquarius (Amphora)
Aquila & Antinous
Ara
Aries
Argo Navis
Auriga
Boötes
Cancer
Canis Major
Canis Minor
Capricornus
Centaurus, Crux
Cassiopeia
Cepheus
Equuleus (Equus Minor)
Virgo
Cetus
Corona Australis (Corona Meridionalis)
Corona Borealis (Corona Septemtrionalis)
Corvus
Crater
Cygnus (Olor)
Delphinus
Draco
Eridanus
Gemini
Hercules
Hydra
Leo
Lepus
Libra
Lupus
Lyra
Ophiuchus (Serpentarius)
Orion
Pegasus
Perseus
Pisces
Sagitta
Scorpius
Serpens
Taurus
Triangulum
Ursa Major
