Planisphere

Planisphere. The projection is geocentric and equidistant from the North Pole to South 40 degrees. There is a magnitude table above the horizon, which is labelled 'MAGNITUDES [1-5]'. The stars are marked by the Bayer notation. The Milky Way is labelled 'MILKY WAY'. 64 stars and seven star groups are named. Ptolemaic constellations above declination South 40 degrees and fourteen non-Ptolemaic constellations are drawn as well as eight of Hevelius. On the back, there is a description of the principal constellations and fixed stars, which is acknowledged as a translation of the 'Atlas of the starry heavens', by J. J. von Littrow, Director of the Imperial Observatory in Vienna. There is also a note in which the planisphere is called an 'invaluable substitute for a celestial globe, ''being as much better as it is cheaper'' than the expensive school apparatus'. The price of this item was two dollars. For further information about the cartography and construction of this planisphere please refer to the related publication, Globes at Greenwich.

Object Details

ID: AST0611
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Planisphere
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Whitall, Henry
Date made: 1856
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Diameter: 395 mm