Description: From 1600 to 1800 a number of beautiful star atlases depicting the constellations according to ancient myths and tales were printed. In Europe, where the quality of celestial atlases was unmatched, classical Greek traditions prevailed and the constellations were given allegorical visual representations of heroes and heroines, real and imaginary animals, scientific instruments and artistic tools. These images were placed in celestial latitude and longitude coordinate systems that allowed the positions of the stars to be mapped in the sky and formed the backdrop for predictions of the location of the planets and other heavenly bodies throughout the year. These celestial atlases also contained diagrams of the solar system that reflected both contemporary and ancient cosmological systems, thus tracing the development of mans view of his place in the universe.

This book traces the history of celestial cartography and relates this history to the changing ideas of Man's place in the Universe and to advances in map-making. Over 200 photographs from actual antiquarian celestial atlases and prints, 76 of which are in color, enrich the text, and a legend accompanies each illustration to explain its astronomical and cartographic features. Also included in the book are discussions of non-European celestial maps and chapters on early American influences and celestial map-collecting.

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Description: With tea leaves and in the night sky, people have always tried to impose patterns on seemingly random groupings. This well-researched, thoughtful collection brings together star myths from such Native American tribes as the Navajo, Pawnee, Shasta and Micmac. Coyote is a bungler who causes trouble on every front: in one story he peeks into a jar and scatters the stars (and then is sent to wander, unwanted, across the earth); in another, he shoots arrows into the sky, which he and five Wolf Brothers ascend but he descends alone. One of the stories about Pleiades tells of six wives who eat wild onions but are scorned by their husbands for the smell of their breath. They leave and climb a rope to the sky. Given the oral tradition of these tribes and the need to preserve the tales, this poetically rendered compilation is especially valuable. Text decorations show symbols, patterns, constellations and some of the many tricksters.

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Description: Sirius has many names. Astronomers recognize over fifty designations for the star, but the most commonly used is Alpha Canis Majoris, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. This is Latin for the 'Great Dog', which has led to its popular nickname the Dog Star. Over the centuries many beliefs have come to be associated with Sirius. Some of these beliefs still echo in such phrases as the dog days of summer, which the ancient Romans understood well. Other old beliefs long ago fell from public consciousness only to be revived and to grow into modern popular and scientific controversies. Although these beliefs may seem quite recent, many have their origins in the ancient lore surrounding Sirius; humans seem naturally drawn to its brilliance, and a surprising number of modern cults have nucleated around beliefs in which Sirius plays a prominent role.

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Book Description: The New Patterns in the Sky -- a modern classic in the literature of sky lore -- is a comprehensive collection of myths, legends, and historical notes about each of the 88 constellations and the Sun, Moon, Milky Way, and shooting stars. Star maps depict the constellations with outline figures. Written for the non-specialist and widely respected by professional planetarians, this book provides a substantive review of the familiar star lore of classical Southwest Asian and Mediterranean civilizations as well as that of ancient China, South Asia, and traditional societies of northern Eurasia, North and South America, the Pacific Islands, and Australasia. This is one of the must-have books that should be in the library of every enthusiast of mankind's enchantment with the night sky.

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Book Description: This unique starwatcher's handbook combines a practicle guide to the night sky with fascinating accounts of the myths and symbols associated with each constellation.

• Covers all 88 constellations each illustrated with an original pictoral star map-practical, evocative and appealing
• Gives practical guidelines for identifying any constellations with the help of special signpost charts
• Includes whole sky maps for instant reference, showing the changing positions of the stars at different times of the year
• Covers the celestial myths and symbols of many cultures, from ancient Greece to China
• Provides for each constellation a quick reference table of the most prominent stars, listing brightness, color and symbolic associations

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Book Description: Star Myths of the Greeks and Romans is the most comprehensive work ever published on the forty-eight classical constellations. Included in this handbook are the only surviving works on the constellation myths that have come down to us from antiquity: an epitome of The Constellations of Eratosthenes -- never before translated into English -- and The Poetic Astronomy of Hyginus. Also provided are accurate and detailed commentaries on each constellation myth, and complete references for those who wish to dig deeper. This book is a comprehensive sourcework for anyone interested in astronomy or mythology -- and an ideal resource for the occasional stargazer.

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Book Description: Star names, the zodiac, constellations; folklore and literature associated with heavens. The basic book of its field. Fascinating reading solidly based on years of thorough research into astronomical writings and observations of the ancient Chinese, Arabic, Euphrates, Hellenic and Roman civilizaitons.

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Description: Sirius, Algol, Castor and Pollux, Mizar and Alcor: these names are well known to stargazers. But others Rasalhague, Vindemiatrix, Zubenelgenubi are obscure tongue twisters. Have you ever wondered where all these exotic-sounding star names came from? In this revised edition of the venerable Short Guide to Modern Star Names and their Derivations, Paul Kunitzsch and Tim Smart track down the origin and meaning of 254 star names. This fascinating work, long out of print, is considered to be the most authoritative English-language treatment of star names in use today.

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Book Description: A Walk through the Heavens is a guide to the pathways of the night sky. Simplified maps of the constellations, together with instructions on how to gauge their sizes and the distances between them allow the reader to find the constellations easily, and make a journey by eye from one constellation to the next (view an example).

Ancient myths surrounding the constellations are retold (Legend of Gemini). This book, magically illustrated by Wil Tirion, is an ideal introduction to launch a young astronomer on a journey across starlit skies.

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Description: The Box of Stars is a wonderfully simple guide to recognizing the constellations. It comes with 32 beautiful and easy-to-use cards which together form a complete guide to the stars in the night sky. Each card is pierced with holes which mark the stars of the constellation and which glitter when held up to the light. Maps of the hemispheres and a handbook show you how to locate the constellations, and the handbook describes the magical and intriguing myths and legends that lie behind them.

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