Virgo. Image source: Bode, Johann Elert. Uranographia. Berlin, 1801, pl. 14.

Out of This World

The Golden Age of the Celestial Atlas

La Hire, Philippe. Planisphere celeste septentrional [-meridional]. Paris, 1705.

La Hire was a notable French astronomer, and his two planispheres of the northern and southern stars were published as individual sheets (although they were included in many French atlases throughout the eighteenth century). Our copies are quite attractive, partly because of their hand-coloring, and partly because of the beautiful constellation figures. 

Auriga (Le Chartier) and Perseus. Image source: La Hire, Philippe. Planisphere celeste septentrional. Paris: Chez N. de Fer, 1705.

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It is intriguing then to realize that most of the constellation figures are ultimately derived from the prototypes in Bayer's Uranometria. Auriga (above, Le Chartier on the French map) and Perseus in particular have changed little since their first appearance in 1603, nor have Cassiopeia and Andromeda (below).

It is interesting that the French astronomical community maintened an affinity for Bayer until halfway through the eighteenth century, while the Germans, who might have been expected to defend their countryman strongly, were quick to abandon him for Hevelius (see next item).

Cassiopeia and Andromeda. Image source: La Hire, Philippe. Planisphere celeste septentrional. Paris: Chez N. de Fer, 1705.

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