Former constellations

Constellations that are no longer widely recognised

The former constellation Argo Navis Gladii Saxonici from 1684 Acta Eruditorum

Former constellations are old historical Western constellations that for various reasons are no longer widely recognised or are not officially recognised by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).[1] Prior to 1930, many of these defunct constellations were traditional in one or more countries or cultures. Some only lasted decades but others were referred to over many centuries. All are now recognised only for having classical or historical value.[2] Many former constellations had complex Latinised names after objects, people, or mythological or zoological creatures.[2] Others with unwieldy names were shortened for convenience. For example, Scutum Sobiescianum was reduced to Scutum, Mons Mensae to Mensa, and Apparatus Sculptoris to Sculptor.

Some of the Northern Sky's former constellations were placed in the less populated regions between the traditional brighter constellations just to fill gaps. In the Southern Sky, new constellations were often created from about the 15th century by voyagers who began journeying south of the Equator. European countries like England, France, the Netherlands, German or Italian states, etc., often supported and popularised their own constellation outlines. In some cases, different constellations occupied overlapping areas and included the same stars. These former constellations are often found in older books, star charts, or star catalogues.

The 88 modern constellation names and boundaries were standardised by Eugene Delporte for the IAU in 1930, under an international agreement, removing any possible astronomical ambiguities between astronomers from different countries.[3] Nearly all former or defunct constellations differ in their designated boundaries inasmuch as they have outlines that do not follow the exact lines of right ascension and declination.[4]

## Noteworthy former constellations

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### Argo Navis

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Argo Navis is the only constellation from Ptolemy's original list of 48 constellations that is no longer officially recognized. Due to its large size, it was split into three constellations by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille: Carina (the keel), Puppis (the poop deck), and Vela (the sails).[5] The new constellations were introduced in the 1763 star catalog Coelum Australe Stelliferum, which was published soon after de Lacaille's death.

### Quadrans Muralis

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Quadrans Muralis was originally created in 1795, placed in the northern skies between the still-accepted constellations Boötes and Draco. The Quadrantids meteor shower is named after this former constellation.

### Remnant nomenclature

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* 53 Eridani is named Sceptrum from the former constellation Sceptrum Brandenburgicum.[6]

Following this precedent, the IAU Working Group on Star Names has named other stars after former constellations:

* HD 85951 is named Felis from the former constellation Felis.[7]
* θ Aquilae is named Antinous from the former constellation Antinous.[8]
* 58 Hydrae is named Solitaire from the former constellation Turdus Solitarius.[8]
* 44 Boötis is named Quadrans from the former constellation Quadrans Muralis.[8]
* 7 Andromedae is named Honores from the former constellation Honores Friderici.[8]
* 102 Herculis is named Ramus from the former constellation Ramus Pomifer (Cerberus et Ramus).[8]

## List of former constellations

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Name  | Genitive  | Meaning  | Date created  | Created by  | Notable stars | Position

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Anguilla | Anguillae | Eel | 1754 | John Hill | ε Equulei, ε, κ Delphini, 66 Aquilae, υ Sagittarii, α, δ, ε Scuti | between Equuleus, Delphinus, Aquila and Serpens
Antinous | Antinoi | Antinous | 132 | Emperor Hadrian[9] | δ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ and ν Aquilae | Southern Aquila
Apes | Apium | Bees (renamed to Vespa, then Lilium, then to Musca Borealis) | 1612 | Petrus Plancius | 33, 35 Arietis, Lilli Borea and Bharani | between Perseus and Aries
Apis | Apis | Bee (obsolete name and renamed to Musca Australis, and then shortened to Musca) | 1598 | Petrus Plancius | List | where Musca is now
Aranea | Araneae | Long-Legged Spider | 1754 | John Hill | 53, 55, 57, 61, 63, 68, 69, 75, 83, 87, y Virginis and HD 120544 | between Virgo and Corvus
Argo Navis | Argus Navis | The Ship Argo (now divided into Carina, Puppis, and Vela) | 2nd century | Claudius Ptolemy | List (Carina, Puppis, Vela) | where Carina, Puppis and Vela reside now
Asselli and Praesepe | Assellorum, Praesepis | Dionysus's Asses (Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis) and Manger (Beehive Cluster) | 3rd century BC | Aratus[10][11] | Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis | middle part of Cancer
Asterion and Chara |  | Northern and Southern Dogs in Canes Venatici | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius.[12] | Cor Caroli and β Canum Venaticorum | where Canes Venatici is now
Battery of Volta |  | Battery | 1807 | Thomas Young | 1 and 9 Pegasi | between Delphinus and Pegasus
Bufo | Bufonis | Toad | 1754 | John Hill | 58 Hydrae, Sigma Librae | tail of Hydra
Cancer Minor | Cancri Minoris | Lesser Crab | 1613 | Petrus Plancius | 68, 74, 81, 85 Geminorum and HIP 36616 | south-western Gemini
Capra and Haedi | Caprae, Haedorum | Goat Amalthea (stars surrounding Capella) and the Kids (Haedus I and Haedus II) | 3rd century BC | Aratus[13] | ζ and η Aurigae | eastern Auriga
Cerberus | Cerberi | Cerberus (guardian dog of Hades) | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius | 93, 95, 102 ‍and ‍109 ‍Herculis | eastern Hercules
Cor Caroli Regis Martyris | Cordis Caroli | Charles's Heart | 1673 | Charles Scarborough[14] | Cor Caroli | central Canes Venatici
Corona Firmiana | Coronae Firmianae | Corona Borealis renamed to honor Count Leopold Anton von Firmian | 1730 | Corbinianus Thomas | List | where Corona Borealis is now
Custos Messium | Custodis Messium | Keeper of harvests | 1775 | Jérôme Lalande[15] | 23, 47, 49, 50 Cassiopeiae, γ, CS Camelopardalis | between Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis
Deltoton |  | Delta (obsolete name for Triangulum Boreale) | 1540 | Petrus Apianus[16] | Mothallah, β and γ Trianguli | Triangulum
Dentalium | Dentalii | Tooth Shell | 1754 | John Hill | 69, 71 Aquilae, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 21 Aquarii | between Aquila and Aquarius
Felis | Felis | Cat | 1799 | Jérôme Lalande | G, I Hydrae, Felis, HD 82573 and HD 78702 | southern Hydra
Frederici Honores | Frederici Honorum | Frederick's Honors | 1787 | Johann Elert Bode[17] |
Gallus | Galli | Rooster | 1613 | Petrus Plancius
Gladii Electorales Saxonici | Gladiorum Electoralium Saxonicorum | Crossed Swords of the Electorate of Saxony | 1684 | Gottfried Kirch
Globus Aerostaticus | Globi Aerostatici | Hot air balloon | 1798 | Jérôme Lalande[18]
Gryphites | Gryphitis | Gryphaea shellfish | 1754 | John Hill
Hippocampus | Hippocampi | Sea Horse | 1754 | John Hill |  | Between Eridanus, Taurus, and Cetus
Hirudo | Hirudinis | Leech | 1754 | John Hill
Jordanus | Jordani | River Jordan | 1613 | Petrus Plancius
Leo Palatinus | Leonis Palatini | Lion to honor the Elector Palatine Charles Theodore and his wife Elisabeth Auguste | 1785 | Karl-Joseph König
Lilium | Lilii | Fleur de Lys (renamed Musca Borealis) | 1679 | Augustin Royer/P. Anthelme
Limax | Limacis | Slug | 1754 | John Hill
Linum Piscium | Lini Piscium | The line connecting the fish (renamed by Bode in 1801 from Hevelius's Linum Austrinum and Linum Boreum; known as Lineola too) | 1590 | Thomas Hood
Lochium Funis | Lochii Funis | Log line (renamed Linea Nautica in 1888 by Eliza A. Bowen[19]) | 1801 | Johann Elert Bode[20]
Lumbricus | Lumbrici | Earthworm | 1754 | John Hill
Machina Electrica | Machinae Electricae | Electricity generator | 1800 | Johann Elert Bode[21]
Malus | Mali | Mast | 1844 | John Herschel
Manis | Manis | Pangolin | 1754 | John Hill |  | Between Andromeda, Lacerta, and Cygnus
Marmor Sculptile | Marmoris Sculptilis | Bust of Columbus | 1810 | William Croswell
Mons Maenalus | Montis Maenali | Mount Mainalo | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius[22] |  | Southern Boötes
Musca Borealis | Muscae Borealis | Northern Fly | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius
Noctua | Noctuae | Owl | 1822 | Alexander Jamieson
Norma Nilotica | Normae Nilotica | Nilometer | 1822 | Alexander Jamieson |  | Western edge of Aquarius
Nubecula Major and Nubecula Minor[citation needed] | Nubeculae Majoris, Nubeculae Minoris | Magellanic Clouds | 1603 | Johann Bayer
Officina Typographica | Officinae Typographicae | Printshop | 1801 | Johann Elert Bode[23]
Patella | Patellae | Limpet | 1754 | John Hill
Phaethon | Phaethontis | Phaethon | Middle Ages | Aratus/Hyginus
Phoenicopterus | Phoenicopteri | Flamingo (an obsolete name for Grus) | early 17th century[24] | Petrus Plancius/Paulus Merula | List | where Grus is now
Pinna Marina | Pinnae Marinae | Mussel | 1754 | John Hill
Piscis Notus | Piscis Noti | Southern Fish (obsolete name for Piscis Austrinus) | 3rd century BC | Aratus
Pluteum | Plutei | Parapet (obsolete for Pictor) | 1881 | Richard Andree | List | where Pictor is now
Polophylax | Polophylacis | Guardian of the Pole | 1592 | Petrus Plancius
Pomum Imperiale | Pomi Imperialis | Leopold's orb | 1688 | Gottfried Kirch
Psalterium Georgii | Psalterii Georgii | George's Psaltery (renamed to Harp Georgii by Lalande) | 1781 | Maximilian Hell[25]
Quadrans Muralis | Quadrantis Muralis | Mural Quadrant | 1795 | Jérôme Lalande[26]
Quadratum | Quadrati | Rhombus (obsolete name for Reticulum Rhomboidalis) | 1706 | Carel Allard
Ramus Pomifer | Rami Pomiferi | Apple-bearing Branch | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius[27]
Robur Carolinum | Roboris Carolini | Charles' Oak | 1679 | Edmund Halley[28]
Rosa | Rosae | Rose | 1536 | Petrus Apianus
Sagitta Australis | Sagittae Australis | Southern Arrow | 1613 | Petrus Plancius
Scarabaeus | Scarabaei | Rhinoceros Beetle | 1754 | John Hill
Sceptrum Brandenburgicum | Sceptri Brandenburgici | Scepter of Brandenburg | 1688 | Gottfried Kirch[29]
Sceptrum et Manus Iustitiae | Sceptri et Manus Iustitiae | Scepter and Hand of Justice | 1679 | Augustin Royer
Sciurus Volans | Sciuri Volantis | Flying Squirrel (now part of Camelopardalis) | 1810 | William Croswell[30]
Sextans Uraniae | Sextantis Uraniae | Urania's Sextant (obsolete name for Sextans) | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius
Siren, Ceneus and Lang |  | Siren, Lapith Caeneus and Toucan | early 17th century[31] | Unknown/Willem Jansz Blaeu
Solarium | Solarii | Sundial | 1822 | Alexander Jamieson
Sudarium Veronicae | Sudarii Veronicae | Sudarium of Veronica | 1643 | Antoine Marie Schyrle de Rheita[32]
Tarabellum and Vexillum | Tarabelli, Vexilli | Drill and flag-like Standard | 12th century | Michael Scot[33]
Tarandus or Rangifer | Tarandi, Rangiferi | Reindeer | 1736 | Pierre Charles Lemonnier[34] |  | Between Cassiopeia, and Camelopardalis
Taurus Poniatovii | Tauri Poniatovii | Poniatowski's Bull | 1777 | Marcin Poczobut[35]
Telescopium Herschelii | Telescopii Herschelii | Herschel's Telescope (renamed from Tubus Herschelii Major by Bode in 1801) | 1781 | Maximilian Hell[36]
Testudo | Testudinis | Tortoise | 1754 | John Hill |  | Between Cetus and Pisces
Tigris | Tigridis | Tigris River | 1613 | Petrus Plancius
Triangulum Majus | Trianguli Majoris | Large Triangle (obsolete name for Triangulum) | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius | List | where Triangulum is now
Triangulum Minus | Trianguli Minoris | Small Triangle | 1690 | Johannes Hevelius[37]
Triangulus Antarcticus | Trianguli Antarctici | Obsolete name for Triangulum Australe | 1589 | Petrus Plancius
Tubus Herschelii Minor | Tubi Herschelii Minoris | Herschel's Reflector | 1781 | Maximilian Hell
Turdus Solitarius | Turdi Solitarii | Solitary Thrush (renamed to Mocking Bird and then to Noctua). Named in honor of the Rodrigues solitaire, an extinct flightless bird related to the dodo. | 1776 | Pierre Charles Lemonnier[38]
Uranoscopus | Uranoscopi | Star-Gazer fish | 1754 | John Hill
Urna | Urnae | Urn of Aquarius | 1596 | Zacharias Bornmann
Vespa | Vespae | Wasp (an obsolete name for Musca Borealis) | 1624 | Jakob Bartsch[39]
Triangula, Triangulum, Catuli, Corona, Corolla, Piscis, Camelus, Vulpes, Equus, Delphin, Ursa Minor, Canis, Felis, Leaena and Cervus | Triangulae, Trianguli, Catulorum, Coronae, Corollae, Piscis, Cameli, Vulpis, Equi, Delphinis, Ursae Minoris, Canis, Felis, Leaenae, Cervi | Obsolete names for Triangulum Boreale, Triangulum Australe, Canes Venatici, Corona Borealis, Corona Australis, Piscis Australis, Cameleopardalis, Vulpecula et Anser, Equuleus, Delphinus, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Leo Minor and Monoceros | 1873 | Richard Proctor[40]

## See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Former constellations.

* Asterism
* Lists of constellations
* Julius Schiller's Coelum Stellatum Christianum (1627, "Christian Starry Sky") renamed the pagan constellations with new names after Christian figures.

## References

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1. ^ "The Constellations". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
2. ^ a b Ian Ridpath. "Constellation names, abbreviations and sizes". Retrieved 1 April 2018.
3. ^ Marc Lachièze-Rey; Jean-Pierre Luminet; Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Paris (16 July 2001). Celestial Treasury: From the Music of the Spheres to the Conquest of Space. Cambridge University Press. p. 80\. ISBN 978-0-521-80040-2.
4. ^ "Constellation boundaries". Retrieved 1 April 2018.
5. ^ "Star Tales – Argo Navis". www.ianridpath.com.
6. ^ "Star Tales – Sceptrum Brandenburgicum".
7. ^ "Star Tales – Felis".
8. ^ a b c d e "IAU Catalog of Star Names". Retrieved 14 May 2025.
9. ^ Allen 1963, p. 40.
10. ^ "Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 30.djvu/774 - Wikisource, the free online library". en.wikisource.org.
11. ^ "Star Tales – Cancer". www.ianridpath.com.
12. ^ Ridpath, Ian. "Canes Venatici". Star Tales. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
13. ^ "AMALTHEA (Amaltheia) - Goat Nurse of Zeus in Greek Mythology". www.theoi.com.
14. ^ Ridpath, Ian. "Canes Venatici". Star Tales.
15. ^ Allen 1963, p. 191.
16. ^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete". astrocultura.uai.it.
17. ^ Allen 1963, p. 221.
18. ^ Allen 1963, p. 237.
19. ^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete". astrocultura.uai.it.
20. ^ Allen 1963, p. 65.
21. ^ Allen 1963, p. 289.
22. ^ Allen 1963, p. 290.
23. ^ Allen 1963, p. 297.
24. ^ "Star Tales – Grus". www.ianridpath.com.
25. ^ Allen 1963, p. 347.
26. ^ Allen 1963, p. 348.
27. ^ Allen 1963, p. 242.
28. ^ Allen 1963, p. 349.
29. ^ Allen 1963, p. 360.
30. ^ Kanas, Nick (2007). Star maps: history, artistry, and cartography. New York, New York: Springer. p. 131\. ISBN 978-0-387-71668-8.
31. ^ Gent, R.H. van. "A Pair of Puzzling Star Maps and Two Unknown Constellations". webspace.science.uu.nl.
32. ^ "Astrocultura UAI - Unione Astrofili Italiani- Sezione Mitologia Costellazioni estinte obsolete". astrocultura.uai.it.
33. ^ "Nuova pagina 1". Atlascoelestis.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
34. ^ Allen 1963, p. 377.
35. ^ Allen 1963, p. 413.
36. ^ Allen 1963, p. 414.
37. ^ Allen 1963, p. 417.
38. ^ Allen 1963, p. 418.
39. ^ Allen 1963, p. 292.
40. ^ "Nuova pagina 1". Atlascoelestis.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.

## Further reading

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* Allen, Richard Hinckley (1963) [1899, New York: G. E. Stechert]. Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning. New York: Dover.
* Kanas, Nick (5 June 2012). Star Maps: History, Artistry, and Cartography. Springer. ISBN 978-1-4614-0917-5.

## External links

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* Obsolete Constellations – Shane Horvatin
* Obsolete Constellations
* Felice Stoppa: Le costellazioni scomparse dal cielo (in Italian)
* Les Constellations Disparues (in French)

* v
* t
* e

The 88 modern constellations

* Andromeda
* Antlia
* Apus
* Aquarius
* Aquila
* Ara
* Aries
* Auriga
* Boötes
* Caelum
* Camelopardalis
* Cancer
* Canes Venatici
* Canis Major
* Canis Minor
* Capricornus
* Carina
* Cassiopeia
* Centaurus
* Cepheus
* Cetus
* Chamaeleon
* Circinus
* Columba
* Coma Berenices
* Corona Australis
* Corona Borealis
* Corvus
* Crater
* Crux
* Cygnus
* Delphinus
* Dorado
* Draco
* Equuleus
* Eridanus
* Fornax
* Gemini
* Grus
* Hercules
* Horologium
* Hydra
* Hydrus
* Indus
* Lacerta
* Leo
* Leo Minor
* Lepus
* Libra
* Lupus
* Lynx
* Lyra
* Mensa
* Microscopium
* Monoceros
* Musca
* Norma
* Octans
* Ophiuchus
* Orion
* Pavo
* Pegasus
* Perseus
* Phoenix
* Pictor
* Pisces
* Piscis Austrinus
* Puppis
* Pyxis
* Reticulum
* Sagitta
* Sagittarius
* Scorpius
* Sculptor
* Scutum
* Serpens
* Sextans
* Taurus
* Telescopium
* Triangulum
* Triangulum Australe
* Tucana
* Ursa Major
* Ursa Minor
* Vela
* Virgo
* Volans
* Vulpecula

* Lists of constellations

* v
* t
* e

Constellation history

* v
* t
* e

48 constellations listed by Ptolemy after 150 AD

* Andromeda
* Aquarius
* Aquila
* Ara
* Argo Navis
* Aries
* Auriga
* Boötes
* Cancer
* Canis Major
* Canis Minor
* Capricornus
* Cassiopeia
* Centaurus
* Cepheus
* Cetus
* Corona Australis
* Corona Borealis
* Corvus
* Crater
* Cygnus
* Delphinus
* Draco
* Equuleus
* Eridanus
* Gemini
* Hercules
* Hydra
* Leo
* Lepus
* Libra
* Lupus
* Lyra
* Ophiuchus
* Orion
* Pegasus
* Perseus
* Pisces
* Piscis Austrinus
* Sagitta
* Sagittarius
* Scorpius
* Serpens
* Taurus
* Triangulum
* Ursa Major
* Ursa Minor
* Virgo

Category

* v
* t
* e

The 41 additional constellations added in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries

* Vespucci or Corsalius early 16c: Crux
* Triangulum Australe
* Vopel 1536: Coma Berenices
* Keyser & de Houtman 1596: Apus
* Chamaeleon
* Dorado
* Grus
* Hydrus
* Indus
* Musca
* Pavo
* Phoenix
* Tucana
* Volans
* Plancius 1613: Camelopardalis
* Columba
* Monoceros
* Habrecht 1621: Reticulum
* Hevelius 1683: Canes Venatici
* Lacerta
* Leo Minor
* Lynx
* Scutum
* Sextans
* Vulpecula
* de Lacaille 1763: Antlia
* Caelum
* Carina
* Circinus
* Fornax
* Horologium
* Mensa
* Microscopium
* Norma
* Octans
* Pictor
* Puppis
* Pyxis
* Sculptor
* Telescopium
* Vela

* v
* t
* e

Obsolete constellations (including Ptolemy's Argo Navis)

* Anguilla
* Anser
* Antinous
* Apes
* Aranea
* Argo Navis
* Asterion
* Bufo
* Cancer Minor
* Cerberus
* Chara
* Custos Messium
* Felis
* Honores Friderici/Gloria Frederici
* Gallus
* Globus Aerostaticus
* Hippocampus
* Hirudo
* Jordanus
* Leo Palatinus
* Lilium
* Limax
* Lochium Funis
* Lumbricus
* Machina Electrica
* Malus
* Manis
* Mons Maenalus
* Musca Borealis
* Noctua
* Officina Typographica
* Patella
* Phaethon
* Polophylax
* Psalterium Georgianum/Harpa Georgii
* Quadrans Muralis
* Ramus Pomifer
* Robur Carolinum
* Rosa
* Scarabaeus
* Sceptrum Brandenburgicum
* Sceptrum et Manus Iustitiae
* Solarium
* Tarandus/Rangifer
* Taurus Poniatovii
* Telescopium Herschelii
* Testudo
* Tigris
* Triangulum Minus
* Turdus Solitarius
* Vespa

* obsolete constellation names

* Apis
* Phoenicopterus
* Serpentarius
* Xiphias
* Vultur cadens
* Vultur volans

* v
* t
* e

Constellations introduced by Johannes Hevelius after 1687

IAU-recognized constellations|

* Canes Venatici
* Lacerta
* Leo Minor
* Lynx
* Scutum
* Sextans
* Vulpecula

Obsolete constellations
(non-IAU constellations)|

* Cerberus
* Mons Maenalus
* Triangulum Minus

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