Centaurus
One of the 88 IAU constellations.
Etymology and History
The Greek constellation is possibly derived from a Babylonian one. There were several centaur-like creatures and other mixed man-animal beings in Mesopotamian culture; seal imprints and reliefs witness them.
Origin of Constellation
Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation
Jessica Gullberg's impression of the Babylonian constellation UR.IDIM (The Mad Dog) in Stellarium 2021.
Centaurus et Lupus on the ancient Greek Kugel Globe, drawing by SMH 2021.
Centaurus et Lupus on the ancient Greco-Roman Farnese Globe, drawing by SMH 2017.
Centaurus et Lupus on the ancient Roman Mainz Globe, drawing by SMH 2021.
Centaurus and Lupus constellations from the Mercator celestial globe 1551 (CC0).
Centaurus as drawn by Joh. Bayer (1603) and Lupus drawn by the user of this exemplar of the atlas (extra map for Bayer).
