Celestial miniature globe

Celestial miniature globe. Astronomical details on the sphere are the same as Ferguson GLB0057. Stars are represented by different symbols, but a magnitude table is absent. The Milky Way is labelled. A total of six stars and the three star groups are named, and the 48 Ptolemaic constellations and four of the non-Ptolemaic constellations are drawn. Four of the southern constellations are drawn as well as those of Plancius and Hevelius, but not all of the constellations are labelled.

Although listed here under Ferguson, this globe could have been made by Dudley Adams, since the copper plates of the celestial gores remained unchanged until the plates came into the hands of the Lane firm. The unusually luxurious case suggests that it was made for travelling. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0063
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Miniature globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Ferguson, James
Date made: circa 1757
People: Petrus Plancius, Petrus
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 142 x 120 x 120 mm; Diameter of sphere: 75 mm
Parts: Celestial miniature globe