How well do you know your stars? Learn how to identify constellations like an aspiring astronomer in the 1800s with help from Urania’s Mirror.

Three illustrations featuring two lions representing the constellations Leo Major and Leo Minor, a scorpion representing the constellation Scorpio and and a old man with crown and turban holding a sceptre representing the constellation Cepheus — Illustrations of the constellations Leo Major and Leo Minor, Cepheus and Scorpio. Museum references T.1972.10 S T.1972.10 D T.1972.10 V

Urania's Mirror or a View of the Heavens is a set of star charts that were used to help teach constellations. The set includes 32 engraved and hand-coloured celestial charts that illustrates 79 constellations. The depictions of the constellations are based on those published in an atlas in 1822 by Scottish schoolmaster and writer Alexander Jamieson.

If you hold the charts up to the light, you will see that the stars are marked by holes in the card. The holes allow light to pass through the thin tissue paper backing and make the stars appear to shine. Different sizes of holes in the card indicate magnitude, or brightness of stars. The idea of turning the charts into cards with holes was Reverend Richard Rouse Bloxam's, a master at Rugby School and astronomy enthusiast.

Illustration of the constellation Taurus. Museum reference T.1972.10 P

The charts were engraved by Sidney Hall and first published by Samuel Leigh in London in 1824.

A pamphlet that introduced the ‘perfectly original’ celestial set claimed that they were designed by ‘a lady’. This may have been a marketing strategy. At the time, there were many popular educational science books and games made by women such as Margaret Bryan and Jane Marcet. It may have also suggested that they were to be enjoyed by everyone, at any age.

Patterns in the sky

There have been names and stories given to patterns that stars make in the sky throughout history, and across many different cultures. These patterns have been grouped into figures called constellations.

Many of the constellations we know today have ancient origins. Many constellation names come from ancient Greek legends including the 12 of the zodiac. The zodiac constellations lie along the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the band of sky through which the Sun, Moon and planets appear to travel over the course of a year.

Some southern constellations were named by western astronomers as late as the 18th century, often after scientific instruments. On the cards there's Horologium (the clock), Quadrans Muralis (the mural quadrant), and Machina Electrica (the electrical machine). Of these southern constellations, only the clock is still recognised.

It was not until 1922 that the International Astronomical Union standardised constellations names and boundaries.

Here are six illustrations from Urania's Mirror celestial chart that can tell us more about mythology and constellations.

1. Leo Major and Leo Minor

This card depicts two constellations - Leo Major (the great lion, now just known as Leo) and Leo Minor (the lesser lion). Leo is a zodiac constellation, in the area of the sky that the Sun appears to pass through from mid-August to mid-September. It was one of the earliest constellations to be recognised, being seen as a lion by several cultures.

In Greek and Roman mythology it is identified as the lion that was killed by Heracles/Hercules during the first of his 12 labours. Leo Minor was only recognised as a separate constellation in 1687.

Illustrations of two lions, representing the constellations Leo Major and Leo Minor — Illustration of the constellations Leo Major and Leo Minor. Museum reference T.1972.10 S

2. Cepheus

Cepheus was the King of Aethiopia. He was married to Cassiopeia and a father of Andromeda. All of their names can be found in modern constellations in the northern sky. Here Cepheus is depicted with a crown and turban, holding a sceptre.

The pose, with arms outstretched, is intended to show him praying to the gods to spare his daughter’s life.

Illustration of old man with crown and turban holding a sceptre representing the constellation Cepheus — Illustration of the constellation Cepheus. Museum reference T.1972.10 D

3. Draco and Ursa Minor

These are two constellations of the far northern sky, which in Britain can be seen at any time of year. Draco was listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE and has been associated with many different mythological dragons.

Ursa Minor (the lesser bear) includes Polaris - the pole star - at the end of its tail, and so was extremely important to navigators in the northern hemisphere.

Illustration of long snakelike dragon and white bear representing the constellations Draco and Ursa Minor — Illustration of the constellations Draco and Ursa Minor. Museum reference T.1972.10 A

4. Orion

Orion is named after the mythological hunter. The constellation is one of the most prominent sights in winter skies in the northern hemisphere. Bright stars Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintake appearing in line to form his ‘belt’.

Here he holds a club and holds a lion’s hide, symbolising his strength and prowess as a hunter.

Illustration of ancient warrior with a club and holding a lion, representing the constellation Orion — Illustration of the constellation Orion. Museum reference T.1972.10 AB

5. Virgo

The second largest constellation, Virgo is part of the zodiac where the Sun appears in the lead up to the autumn equinox.

The name Virgo means virgin or maiden. Virgo is depicted holding wheat where the bright star Spica is located, and a palm leaf. The palm leaf is where we see Denebola, now identified as part of Leo. This echoes earlier associations from Mesopotamian and Babylonian mythology and, more generally, with harvest time.

Illustration of young woman with wheat and a palm leaf representing the constellation Virgo — Illustration of the constellation Virgo. Museum reference T.1972.10 T

6. Lynx and Telescopium Herschilii

Both of these constellations were introduced in more recent times, though only Lynx is still recognised. It was identified by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in the late 1800s. Johannes named the constellation because lynxes were known to have excellent eyesight and the stars that form the constellation are faint.

In the late 19th century, Hungarian astronomer Maximilian Hell identified Telescopium Herschilii (Herschel’s telescope). It celebrated William Herschel, his remarkable telescopes and his discovery of the planet Uranus in 1781.