Celestial table globe

Celestial table globe. Astronomical details on the sphere show a magnitude table but the brightness is indicated by four different symbols. For some - but not all of the stars - the number of the magnitude is engraved. The Milky Way is labelled. There are no star names but two star groups are indicated. The 48 Ptolemaic constellations are drawn and the names of some of these are outlined by a band. The names of the Great Bear are similarly outlined. Around the South Pole, there is another band encircling a constellation in the shape of a cross which is labelled.

The style of the constellations is similar to the map of Peter Apian of 1536. Hercules is shown with a complete lion, Virgo is depicted facing outwards, there is a swimming maiden in Eridanus and Perseus has wings on his feet. An exception is Bootes, who is without his dogs. The southern cross is in a different place to where it is usually found, due to a conflict of sources. This globe belonged to the Bibilotheca Barberini, Rome, and it is signed. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0072
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Table globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Platus, Carolus
Date made: 1598
People: Apian, Peter
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 540 x 340 mm; Diameter of sphere: 230 mm
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