Cassiopeia Constellation, 1661

Cassiopeia Constellation, 1661

Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky, named after the vain queen Cassiopeia in Greek mythology, who boasted about her unrivaled beauty. Cassiopeia was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century Greek astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union. It is easily recognizable due to its distinctive 'W' shape, formed by five bright stars. Johann Bayer's star atlas Uranometria Omnium Asterismorum, was first published in 1603. It was the first atlas to cover the entire celestial sphere. The Uranometria introduced a new system of star designation which has become known as the Bayer designation. His atlas added 12 new constellations to fill in the far south of the night sky, which was unknown to ancient Greece and Rome.

Album / Science Source / U.S. Naval Observatory Library

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2915 x 4560 px | 38.0 MB

24.7 x 38.6 cm | 9.7 x 15.2 in (300 dpi)