Celestial facsimile globe

Celestial facsimile globe. Astronomical details on the sphere include a labelled magnitude table in a cartouche above Bootes. The stars are marked according to a system, which is explained below the cartouche with the text: 'N. B. Greek Letters or Figures prefixed to Stars refer to the British / Catalogue'. Constellations are outlined by figures and contours, and the Milky Way is drawn but not labelled. The Magellanic Clouds are labelled. There are labels for variable stars, one in Cygnus and one in Cetus; 62 stars and 15 star groups are named in total. The 48 Ptolemaic constellations and four of the non-Ptolemaic constellations are drawn. Five of the southern constellations are drawn with of Plancius, Hevelius and Lacaille.

This is the last globe manufactured in England in the traditional manner with gores. It was left partly unfinished when Georama was closed down in November 1989. The gore sheets used for both globes are the same as those recorded as ZBA0323. However, no original Smith 762 mm (30 in) celestial globe is known and, it is believed that Smith's table models were usually of 305 mm (12 in) or 381 mm (15 in) diameter.

These 762 mm (30 in) gores appear to be photographically based enlargements of such smaller originals, though of which Smith globe is not yet known. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0243
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Facsimile globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: George Philip & Son Ltd; Petrus Plancius, Petrus
Date made: Original gores: before 1948; Facsimile globe: 1989 Original gores: before 1948; Facsimile globe: 1989
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Diameter: 770 mm
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