Lacerta

Johannes Hevelius - Lacerta sive Stellio

an early modern constellation invented by Jan and Elizabeta Hevelius. It is one of the 88 official IAU-constellations.

Etymology and History

Hevelius's description:

Secundò, Lacertam sive Stellionenm , quam inter Andromedam, & Cygnum reposui, eam ob causam elegi, quòd ibidem in tali angusto loco magnum aliquod animal consistere minimè posset, etiamsi decem lucidissimis Stellulis, Spatium istud esset resertum: adhrec, ut Autores volunt, sit animalculum versicolor , quasi plurimis Stellulis exornatum; id quod Nostro animalculo Coelestis omnium optimé convenit.