Lacerta

Johannes Hevelius - Lacerta sive Stellio

An early modern constellation invented by Jan and Elizabeta Hevelius. It was ‍introduced ‍in ‍Hevelius's ‍star ‍catalogue ‍of ‍1687 ‍and ‍‍depicted ‍on ‍his ‍star ‍atlas ‍published ‍posthumously ‍in ‍1690. Lacerta is now 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.

Weblinks

• Ridpath, Ian, Star Tales: Lacerta.
• Allen, R. H. Star Names: Lacerta