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Star Lore Machina Electrica The Electricity Generator

Machina Electrica is a now obsolete constellation in the southern hemisphere, created in 1801 by Johann Elert Bode. In 1801, German astronomer Johann Elert Bode published a large star atlas called Uranographia sive astrorum. The atlas marked the climax of an epoch of artistic representation of the constellations. Among the more than 100 constellations presented were four personally developed by Bode. Honores Friderici, created in 1787 honored Bode's patron, Prussian King Frederick the Great. The other three, first shown in Uranographia, celebrated the age of enlightenment and discovery.

In 1763, French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille introduced fourteen new constellations in the southern sky. Bode placed Machina Electrica, the Electricity Generator between two of de Lacaille's constellations, Apparatus Chemicus, later known as Fornax and Apparatus Sculptoris, now known as Sculptor borrowing stars from both constellations. The main stars (by modern designation) of the constellation were ν For, μ For, π Scl and τ Scl. The object depicted was one of the early wonders of the industrial revolution, an electrostatic generator, presented in 1768 by British instrument maker Jesse Ramsden, who, among other achievements was one of the most prolific telescope makers of is time.

Machina Electrica in Uranographia (above) and Urania's Mirror (below).

In 1922, when the IAU accepted Fornax and Sculptor as official constellations, the stars of Machina Electrica were reunited with their original constellations. Sources: Wikipedia, Ian Ridpath, Astronomy Facts, SkyEye

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